CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Employment Legislation

Ben Chapman: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the number of church employees who are covered by employment legislation.

Stuart Bell: The National Church Institutions employ 487 people. No records are held centrally about the numbers of people employed by dioceses and parishes.

Licensing Provisions

Anne McIntosh: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Commissioners have made of the cost of the new licensing provisions to churches and chapels; and if he will make a statement.

Stuart Bell: Final figures for complying with the proposed provisions of the current Licensing Bill, which has had a second reading in Another Place, will depend upon the level of fees set by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, as well as on the extent to which church buildings apply for licenses to cover the proposed provision of Xregulated entertainment". The figures provided in the Regulatory Impact Assessment would, however, suggest that under the Bill's proposals churches or other places of worship seeking to provide entertainment five times a year would pay #100 each year. If more events than this were required, a full licence would be needed and annual inspections would be necessary, each of which would attract a fee.
	There are 16,250 church buildings belonging to the Church of England alone: many other denominations and faiths will also be covered by the proposals as they stand.

DEFENCE

Defence Aviation Repair Agency

Win Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement of the developing role of DARA in Wales.

Adam Ingram: The Defence Aviation Repair Agency is creating centres of excellence as the focus for its business development. In Wales, there are two centres of excellence, St Athan in South Wales which carries out fixed wing aircraft maintenance, and Sealand in North Wales that now does all the Agency's electronic business. The two sites represent nearly 70 per cent. of the DARA's business.

Challenger II

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision has been reached in respect of the number of Challenger II tanks to be converted for desert operations.

Geoff Hoon: A number of Challenger 2 tanks are being modified to improve their performance in desert conditions in line with continuing contingency planning. I do not intend to compromise operational security by revealing the exact number of tanks involved.

Gulf (Military Units)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of Defence if he will make a statement on recent activities of the Royal Navy in the Gulf.

Adam Ingram: The Royal Navy maintains a permanent presence in the Gulf. For over 10 years it has made a valuable contribution to the Multinational Interception Force deployed in the Gulf to enforce Iraqi compliance with UN sanctions. The Royal Navy deployed in the Gulf also plays its part in the international campaign against terrorism. Beyond these ongoing commitments, a Mine Countermeasure Group deployed to the Gulf during November. This is a long-planned, routine deployment, to conduct bilateral exercises with a number of Gulf States, building on the successful bilateral training conducted in the region in the wake of last year's Saif Sareea II in Oman.

Gulf (Military Units)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what British military units are deployed in the Gulf region.

Geoff Hoon: Units from the UK armed forces are regularly deployed in the Gulf region.
	For example, the RAF continues to patrol the no-fly zones over Iraq in support of UN SCR 688 which demanded that Saddam Hussein cease repression of his own people. The Royal Navy maintains a permanent presence in the Gulf to enforce sanctions on Iraq and as part of our contribution to the campaign against international terrorism. Two RAF Nimrod aircraft are also deployed to the Gulf region for the same purpose.
	In addition to those continuing commitments, we have deployed 400 personnel to take part in a long planned United States-led biennial command post exercise in Qatar. A Mine Countermeasure Group is also currently undertaking a routine deployment to the Gulf in order to conduct bilateral exercises with a number of Gulf States.
	A wide range of personnel are deployed throughout the region, from all three services, in support of defence diplomacy.

Al-Qaeda

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what potential security threat remnants of al-Qaeda pose to the security of (a) Afghanistan and (b) other countries.

Adam Ingram: The al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan has been severely weakened by coalition military action. Isolated remnants of al-Qaeda and Taleban forces continue to pose a limited threat to the security of Afghanistan, and coalition operations to defeat them continue.
	More widely, al-Qaeda has a global reach. Despite important arrests in the past month, many of the organisation's leaders are still at large, and pose a significant threat to international security. That is why we, together with our coalition partners, shall continue to hunt down the al-Qaeda leadership until they are brought to account for their crimes.

Armed Forces Personnel (Non-combatant Deaths)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to reduce the number of non-combatant deaths of armed forces personnel.

Lewis Moonie: In the last five years there have been 770 deaths in the Services: 246 from natural causes, 255 from road traffic accidents, 93 from suicide or with an open coroner's verdict and 176 from other causes. The Services recognise and stress the importance of welfare support, health education and good safety practices, especially since the nature of work in the Armed Forces inevitably involves an element of risk. Procedures are reviewed regularly.

NATO Enlargement

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the enlargement of NATO following the Prague summit.

Geoff Hoon: At the Prague summit NATO issued invitations to begin accession talks to Bulgaria. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. This enlargement is a major step forward for European security. I know the invitees have made great efforts over the past three years to prepare themselves under the Membership Action Plan, and they must continue to do so during the accession process. I am pleased that the United Kingdom will continue its significant contribution to helping with those preparations.

Arctic Convoy Medal

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he is making towards awarding medals to those who served on the Arctic convoys in the second world war.

Lewis Moonie: The Atlantic Star recognised service on the convoys to Russia during the Second World War. Service in Arctic waters is specifically mentioned in the Command Paper which laid down the qualifying criteria for the medal.

Aircraft Carriers

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the factors which will determine the choice of consortiums to build the next UK aircraft carriers.

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will report progress on the new aircraft carrier programme.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the right hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon Friend the Member for Wirral South (Mr. Chapman), Official Report, 9 December 2002, columns 8–9.

Afghanistan

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on security operations in Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: Coalition operations against the remnants of al-Qaeda continue. The United Kingdom provides Airborne Early Warning and Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft for coalition air operations, as well as support to the coalition headquarters.
	We currently contribute some 300 British troops to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Kabul. ISAF has helped the Afghan authorities to restore and maintain stability within Kabul and there is a continuing need for its presence to support President Karzai's transitional Administration.

Falkland Islands

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on naval support for the defence of the Falkland Islands.

Adam Ingram: We intend to maintain a modern and capable force in the Falkland Islands, consisting of air and land as well as naval elements. The Atlantic Patrol Task (South) is generally deployed to the South Atlantic on a year-round basis, subject to operational availability; it is currently not deployed as the crew of HMS Lancaster are engaged in fire-fighting duties. The Governor of the Falkland Islands was informed in advance of this unavoidable temporary gap in cover. APT(S) is only one element of the United Kingdom's maritime presence in the region. HMS Leeds Castle, the permanent Falkland Islands patrol vessel, is currently in Falkland Islands waters, and the ice patrol ship HMS Endurance is currently deployed to the South Atlantic region, which includes time spent in Falkland Islands waters. RFA Grey Rover, the South Atlantic tanker, is on passage to the Falkland Islands following her participation in EXPO NAVALE, Valpariso.

QinetiQ

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to help those made redundant by QinetiQ restructuring to acquire new jobs.

Lewis Moonie: QinetiQ has been a commercial organisation since its creation in July 2001, at which point its employees ceased to be civil servants. Redundancies which result from restmcturing within the company are based purely on its business requirements and the Ministry of Defence does not have direct involvement in QinetiQ5 s decisions concerning its staff. I understand that QinetiQ has a range of measures in place to provide assistance to staff with the training and skill development needed to help them find alternative employment.

Army Overstretch

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to reduce overstretch in the Army.

Lewis Moonie: We do not believe that the Army is overstretched. However, they are currently very busy in light of firelighters' industrial action. The Ministry of Defence keeps all operational commitments under review and reduces the numbers deployed where possible.

NATO Rapid Response Force

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received about the proposed NATO rapid response force; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The proposed NATO Response Force (NRF) was discussed by Defence Ministers at their informal meeting in Warsaw in late September and again at the NATO Summit in Prague last month. I have also discussed the NRF in bilateral meetings with NATO counterparts. The discussions focused on the need for a technologically advanced, flexible, deployable, interoperable and sustainable force, ready to move quickly to wherever needed. The NRF should also be a catalyst for improving the Alliance's military capabilities. At Prague, Heads of State and Government agreed to the creation of the NRF and work is now underway to take the concept forward within the Alliance. We expect that a report on the NRF will be submitted to Defence Ministers in June 2003 and that the NRF to have an initial operating capability no later than October 2004.

Missile Defence

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for a missile defence system for the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made in analysing the implications for the UK of missile defence; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on ballistic missile defence.

Geoff Hoon: The Government understands the role that missile defences could play as part of a comprehensive strategy to respond to the potential threat from ballistic missiles. We are currently examining whether the range of responses we have now would be enhanced by participation in active missile defence. I have today placed further analytical and discussion material in the Library of the House which I hope will contribute to the debate on the issues involved.

Missile Defence

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Memoranda of Understanding have been signed in relation to the use by the USA of British facilities for missile defence activities.

Geoff Hoon: None.

Risk Reduction (New Equipment)

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures his Department is taking to reduce the risk to users when acquiring new equipment.

Lewis Moonie: In accordance with United Kingdom Health and Safety legislation, it is Ministry of Defence policy that the risks associated with any equipment shall be as low as reasonably practicable.
	Responsibility for the acquisition of new equipment is vested in the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA). Safety Management is an integral part of the DPA's Acquisition Management System, beginning at the requirement definition stage and being carried forward through service to disposal.
	The basic principle that underpins the equipment safety process is the management of through-life hazards: their identification, evaluation, elimination, mitigation and control.

Equal Opportunities

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to promote equality between men and women in the armed forces.

Lewis Moonie: The armed forces are committed to promoting equality of opportunity between Service men and women consistent with the need to maintain combat effectiveness. They are currently reviewing career progression to identify any barriers to the advancement of women, and exploring steps to address work-life balance with the aim of improving their recruitment and retention.

Academic Conferences

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has taken since 1990 to enable Army officers to participate in academic conferences and to share experiences gained by officers in other countries to address bullying in the armed forces.

Lewis Moonie: Although no specific measures have been taken since 1990 to enable Army officers to discuss bullying with their counterparts in other countries, welfare issues are often discussed in a number of fora which may include, on occasion, members of the armed forces from other countries.

Altcar Training Camp

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals for the modernisation of the facilities at Altcar training camp have been received; and what recommendations are being implemented, with particular reference to the upgrading of targetry and associated range control features.

Lewis Moonie: As a result of proposals from the North West England and the Isle of Man Reserve Forces and Cadets Association to upgrade the existing manually operated Rifle Ranges at Altcar training camp, lanes 1 to 15 of the existing 38 lane gallery range have now been converted to provide 12 electric targets with new firing point mounds. A small building to accommodate the control console has been positioned at the rear of the range. Work was completed in October 2002 and the range was formally brought into use on 30 November 2002. There are currently no plans to upgrade the remaining 23 lanes.

Army Foundation College

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the opening of a new campus at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

Lewis Moonie: The new Army Foundation College buildings at Harrogate were formally opened on 18 October by HRH Prince Andrew CVO ADC. These new facilities have been delivered through a Private Finance Initiative by Defence Training Services Limited working with the Ministry of Defence in a 30-year contract. The college was originally opened in September 1998 and occupied the existing buildings of the old Army Apprentices College for the Royal Signals, which closed in 1996. The college remained open throughout the building period and now provides training and education facilities for 1,344 young people each year, in the most modern facilities available.

Army Welfare Service

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) civilian and (b) military members of staff of the Army Welfare Service are based in (i) Scotland and (ii) the rest of the UK; and how many are female in each case.

Lewis Moonie: The information requested, as at 5 December 2002, is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Scotland Rest of UK 
		
		
			 Military   
			 Male 1 18 
			 Female 2 26 
			
			 Civilian   
			 Male 0 0 
			 Female 1 3 
			
			 Total 4 47 
		
	
	A further six military staff (four male and two female) and four civilian female staff are currently under training.

Army Welfare Service

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) civilian and (b) military female members of staff of the Army Welfare Service have made complaints concerning bullying by superiors in each of the last five years.

Lewis Moonie: There have been two recorded complaints of bullying/harassment by female members of the Army Welfare Service in the last five years. Both incidents were dealt with internally in accordance with established procedures.

Balkans (Troop Reductions)

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on troop reductions in the Balkans.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 13 June 2002, Official Report, columns 1343–44, to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer).

Barracks Opening Hours

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the regular hours of opening for consultation are at (a) Deepcut and (b) Catterick of (i) the regimental medical office, (ii) the Padre, (iii) the unit welfare officer, (iv) the local army welfare worker and (v) the Women's Royal Voluntary Service welfare office.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Deepcut Catterick(1) 
		
		
			 Medical Centre 0800–1630 Mon-Fri other times via the Medical Reception Centre Pirbright or Frimley Park Hospital A&E Dept. 0800–1630 weekdays Medical non Commissioned Officer on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Garrison Medical Centre and the North Yorkshire emergency doctors can be called on outside normal working hours  
			
			 Padre Normal working hours, with answerphone. On call 24 hrs by mobile phone. Padres at ITC Catterick teach elements of the training course. They are also available for welfare interviews and visits. The Padres office is open to all trainees at any time during the working day. Contact at other times via mobile phone or alternative telephone numbers. 
			
			 Unit Welfare Office 0830–1700 Mon-Fri other times on call via mobile phone 0800–1630 Mon-Fri 
			   
			 Army Welfare Service 0830–1630 Mon-Fri, Duty call out via Duty Officer, plus Confidential Support Line 1030–2230 Contact is maintained through the Unit Welfare Office. 
			 WRVS 1000–1400 and 1800–2200 seven days a week 1000–1400 and 1800–2200 Mon-Fri, 1700–2200 Weekends  
		
	
	(1) Catterick refers to the Infantry Training Centre Catterick, unless otherwise noted. Catterick Garrison maintains parallel services which are also available to the ITC as required.

Barry Buddon Overspill Site

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects Catterick's overspill site at Barry Buddon to receive its first draft of trainees.

Lewis Moonie: The Army Training and Recruiting Agency has scheduled the commencement of an Infantry training course to commence at Barry Buddon on 20 January 2003. There are no plans for a further intake of trainees at that location.

Bullying

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints have been made of bullying within the Army Welfare Service in each of the last five years, broken down by area office.

Lewis Moonie: There have been three recorded complaints of alleged bullying/harassment within the Army Welfare Service in the last five years. Due to the small numbers involved, I am not prepared to disclose the locations of these incidents in the event that this leads to the identification of those concerned. I am therefore withholding that information under Exemption 12 (Privacy of an Individual) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. All the incidents were dealt with internally in accordance with established procedures.

Casualty Exercises

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mass casualty exercises have been undertaken by the Defence Medical Services in the past two years; and how many personnel were involved in each exercise.

Lewis Moonie: Members of the Defence Medical Services (DMS) participate in military training and exercises, and operational deployments, which can have a mass casualty exercise element to rehearse the procedures to be followed by a military medical facility facing large numbers of casualties. These exercises are based on casualty numbers ranging from 25 to over 100. DMS personnel serving at hospital facilities also participate in mass casualty exercises organised by, or involving the hospital concerned. No central records are maintained of the number of mass casualty exercises in which DMS personnel participate, nor of the numbers who do so.

Chemical Weapons Sites

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what systematic research his Department has undertaken since 1972 regarding the health of (a) those who worked in chemical weapons production plants during the First and Second World Wars, (b) their families and (c) those living in the surrounding area;
	(2)  what tests have been carried out since 1972 on the effluent discharge arising from chemical weapons sites affecting immediate water sources; and what reports were produced as a result;
	(3)  what reports have been produced giving details of the chemical weapons storage sites in the UK;
	(4)  what the (a) nature and (b) quantity is of chemical weapons stored in chemical weapons storage sites in the UK; and what standards define the structure of the storage site for different chemical weapons;
	(5)  what organisations have been commissioned to carry out research work on (a) the impact of chemical weapons manufacturing sites on the local environment and (b) the health of those living within the catchment area;
	(6)  what chemical weapons sites in the UK have produced chemical weapons since 1972; over what periods, which site facilities are being maintained; what tests are being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the results;
	(7)  what products were manufactured at the Rhydymwyn and Mold chemical weapons processing plants in the last three years.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Children (Armed Conflict)

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Government will ratify the Optional Protocol on the UN Convention on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

Adam Ingram: Officials in both the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have almost finalised the work required to enable the Government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict. We will begin the ratification process very shortly by laying an Explanatory Memorandum before Parliament.

Decommissioned Submarines

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will (a) assess and (b) certify the seaworthiness of decommissioned submarines prior to offering them for sale.

Lewis Moonie: It is our policy that decommissioned nuclear submarines are not offered for sale. The four conventional Upholder Class submarines were taken out of active service with the Royal Navy in 1994, but were not decommissioned. The submarines were subsequently placed under a Custody, Care and Maintenance contract, which is now managed by BAE Systems, until agreement was reached with Canada in July 1998 for the lease with option to buy the four boats.
	In January 1999 a contract was signed between the DPA and now BAE Systems for the reactivation (refurbishment) of the submarines to a standard and to a level of safety acceptable to the Royal Navy. This included MOD safety certification with a safe to dive certificate for a period of not less than three and a half years for each boat.

Deepcut Army Barracks

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which years since 1990 a civilian firefighter has been (a) employed at and (b) resident in Deepcut Army Barracks; and what financial arrangements cover (i) salary and (ii) accommodation.

Adam Ingram: There have been Defence Fire Service civilian officers at Deepcut Army Barracks for each year during the period in question, with three officers being stationed there at present. During that time 15 individual officers have occupied accommodation in the officers mess, one of whom is currently in residence. No precise records have been kept of their periods of tenure but generally they range between a few months and three years depending on the terms of their posting and their individual accommodation requirements. All those serving at Deepcut are paid according to the national salary pay scales with accommodation charges being levied at agreed departmental rates.

European Security and Defence Policy

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) France and (b) Germany about the implications for NATO's naval capabilities of the creation of (i) an EU rapid reaction capability and (ii) a Franco-German defence union.

Geoff Hoon: MP: None.

Fire Services

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training the Armed Forces have received for dealing with a fire at (a) a chemical and (b) a nuclear facility.

Adam Ingram: As regards the Defence Estate all Ministry of Defence firefighting units are fully trained to deal with fires involving chemicals and, where there is a nuclear facility, personnel are provided with special instructions and training on the actions to be taken should an incident occur.
	In relation to the current firelighters dispute, chemical incident and decontamination procedures were part of the 5-week Enhanced Trained Non- specialist (ETNS) training course undertaken by all members of Breathing Apparatus Rescue Teams (BARTs) and Rescue Equipment Support Teams (RESTs) deployed during the fire fighters dispute. This provided both theoretical training and a series of practical exercises including chemical incident scenarios. The subject has also been included in the Continuation Training Programme issued to all Joint Operational Control Centres and carried out at Temporary Service Fire Stations.
	ETNS personnel have not been trained in nuclear incident procedures. Military fire fighting teams would be reliant upon the response of specialist teams from the nuclear agencies in the event of such an incident.

Fire Services

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what access the armed forces has to equipment necessary to deal with a fire at (a) a chemical and (b) a nuclear facility.

Adam Ingram: All Ministry of Defence firefighting units are fully equipped to deal with fires on the defence estate involving chemicals and special equipment is provided to those sites where there is a nuclear facility.
	In relation to the current firefighters dispute, Rescue Equipment Support Teams are equipped with Chemical Protection Suits and decontamination showers. Military firefighting teams that have been deployed are not equipped to deal with nuclear incidents and would be reliant upon the response of specialist teams from the nuclear agencies in the event of such an incident.

Fire Services

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if naval personnel acting as firefighters during the dispute will lose their long service at sea bonus.

Adam Ingram: Longer Service at Sea Bonus (LSSB) is paid, after the qualifying period, to Naval personnel if their permanent place of duty is an LSSB qualifying unit (broadly speaking, most ships, submarines and Naval Air Squadrons). These personnel will continue to receive LSSB if detached temporarily for firefighting duties during the current dispute.
	Personnel not entitled to LSSB can qualify for Longer Separated Service Allowance to compensate for extended periods away from their permanent place of duty.

Fire Services

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the effect of the firefighters' dispute on (a) naval training and (b) naval deployment.

Adam Ingram: The Armed Forces will continue to perform their duty to the public by providing emergency fire cover for as long as required. But as I stated in the House on 4 November 2002, Official Report, column 16:
	Xthere must be knock-on effect for the training regime, and the longer the strike runs the greater the effect will be. We must constantly review the situation; over time it will create problems for effective delivery and for other missions in which we may be called on to participate."
	Specifically for the Royal Navy, the firefighters' dispute has caused some reductions in operational programmes, notably the removal of frigates from NATO's Standing Force Atlantic and from the South Atlantic, but other Royal Navy vessels and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary remain deployed in the Caribbean, the Gulf, the Far East, the Mediterranean and the North and South Atlantic.
	The throughput of vessels through operational sea training has been reduced as personnel have been withdrawn from ships. This means that there will be increased demand for training in 2003 as ships return to the operational cycle.
	For the individual service person, the effects of the firefighters' dispute on training and deployment are interlinked. Some training is being disrupted with consequential effects on drafting, career progression and promotion. The Royal Navy is making appropriately trained personnel to the fleet. The effect on individuals will be minimised by giving them priority on future courses; and there are existing safeguards for those whose career progression may be adversely affected.

Helicopter Aircrew (Training)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on the PFI contract for the Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility; whether the contract is on schedule; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Delivery of the training service provided by the Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility at RAF Benson commenced on schedule on 30 March 2000. Expenditure to date on the service, which is being delivered under a PFI contract with CAE Aircrew Training Services, is some #51 million.

Joint Services Comand and Staff College

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on the PFI contract for the Joint Services Command and Staff College; whether the contract is on schedule; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: A total of #68.917 million has been spent to date on the PFI Contract for the Joint Services Command and Staff College. The contract with Defence Management (Watchfield) Ltd. was signed in June 1998 and the college opened for operation on schedule on 7 August 2000.

Manning Control Reviews

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 27 November 2002, Official Report, column 332W, on manning control reviews, how many personnel in the Army were recommended for Manning Control Review in each of the last five years; broken down by regiment.

Lewis Moonie: The information requested, concerning the number of Army personnel who were recommended for Manning Control Review in each of the last five years, is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Medical Officers (Deployment)

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the dates of service were of each medical officer employed at (a) Deepcut and (b) Catterick Barracks since 1990, indicating in each case the (i) rank and (ii) the reasons given for leaving the post.

Adam Ingram: Medical officers employed at Deepcut were/are all civilians. Details are:
	
		
			 Rank Dates of employment Reasons for leaving 
		
		
			 Civilian medical practitioner 1990 to March 2000 Suspended 
			 Locum CMP (32 in total) March 2000 to date In all cases end of contract, except one who was asked to leave. 
		
	
	Medical Officers at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC), Catterick were/are as follows:
	
		
			 Rank Dates of employment Reasons for leaving 
		
		
			 Major April 1995 to July 1995 Retired from the Army 
			 Captain July 1995 to December 1995 Posted to another unit 
			 Colonel February 1996 to September 2001 Posted to another unit 
			 Lt. Colonel December 2001 to date Still in post 
		
	
	ITC, Catterick was only set up in April 1995, prior to that date Catterick Garrison would have provided medical services to all personnel. Catterick Garrison also maintains a medical centre for the benefits of garrison personnel, which the ITC can call upon as needed.

Meteor Missile

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by how much, and by what percentage, the unit costs of each Meteor missile ordered for the RAF will change as a result of Germany's decision to cut its Meteor missile order.

Adam Ingram: There will be no change to the unit cost of the Meteor missiles to be ordered for the RAF as a result of Germany's intention to reduce the number of missiles it plans to order. This is because the United Kingdom already has an agreed maximum price for its planned offtake of missiles.

Minehunters

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on deployment of Royal Navy minehunters for an exercise with the Royal Saudi Navy.

Adam Ingram: The Royal Navy deploys a Mine Countermeasure (MCM) Group annually, either to the Mediterranean or the Gulf, to maintain operational capability, support major exercises and practice out of area deployments.
	The MCM Group is currently undertaking a routine deployment to the Gulf in order to conduct bilateral exercises with Saudi Arabian forces, as well as those of other Gulf States and coalition partners in the region. The aim is to build on the successful bilateral training conducted in the region in the wake of Exercise Saif Sareea held in Oman towards the end of last year, after which several invitations from Gulf States were received to conduct similar exercises in 2002. It is also planned to undertake a programme of port visits in the region to support Defence Diplomacy initiatives before the vessels are scheduled to return to the United Kingdom in spring 2003.

Missile Defence System

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects preparations to begin for British involvement in the US-led missile defence system.

Geoff Hoon: The United Kingdom already has close access to US research and development work on missile defence, taking part in collaborative research and information exchange on ballistic missile defence technologies. UK industry is also playing an active role. UK expertise in such areas will enable us to consider and make informed assessments about technical advances in missile defences. This will contribute significantly to our ability to judge the potential benefits to the UK of possible participation in further US development of missile defences. In order to inform debate on the role that active missile defence might play within a comprehensive strategy for tackling the potential threat from ballistic missiles, I am publishing today a public discussion document on missile defence.

Missile Defence System

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role he expects Fylingdales and Menwith Hill to play in the US-led missile defence system; and what improvements have been made to the facilities at these sites to enable them to fulfil this role.

Geoff Hoon: No decisions have been taken about the possible future role of any United Kingdom bases in a missile defence system. The radar at RAF Fylingdales could, if upgraded, provide a useful asset to such a system depending on the architecture chosen. No improvements have been made relating to any potential future role, although there is a continuing programme of maintenance and life extension at RAF Fylingdales to ensure that it can continue to fulfil its current functions.
	A decision was taken in 1997 to base the European relay ground station for the Space Based Infra-Red System (SBIRS) project at RAF Menwith Hill. SBIRS is a satellite system designed to give early warning of the launch of ballistic missiles anywhere in the world. It updates the existing but ageing defence support programme (DSP) satellites and is needed irrespective of any decision on missile defence.

NATO Costs

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the United Kingdom paid in the last financial year to NATO as its share of NATO's overall costs, broken down into budget headings; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: Direct contributions to NATO's Security Investment Programme (NSEP) and Military Budget (MB) are paid from the United Kingdom Defence Budget. Currently, the UK's share of the NSIP is 10.2 per cent. and of the MB is 16.0 per cent. From January 2003, this will be amended to 12.5 per cent. for both, with no overall increase in cost to UK.
	In the Financial Year 2001–2002, the UK paid #62.5 million to the NSIP and #53.1 million to the MB.
	Direct contributions to NATO's civil budget are the responsibility of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The UK's share of this is 17.25 per cent. In the Financial Year 2001–2002 the UK paid some #13.9 million (lower than the anticipated contribution of #16.5 million due to the timing of payments).

Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Weapons

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what nuclear, biological and chemical capability the Army, Navy and RAF possess; and whether the personnel are drawn from regular or reserve forces.

Adam Ingram: The regular United Kingdom armed Forces maintain a balanced nuclear, biological and chemical force protection capability founded upon five components: detection and identification; warning and reporting; physical protection; hazard management; medical countermeasures and support. These rest on a range of specialised and other equipment, procedures and countermeasures, including those operated by the Joint NEC Regiment, are described in more detail in the Department's July 1999 public paper XDefending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons". They also apply to nuclear and radiological defence.
	In addition the Royal Yeomanry, a Territorial Army unit, supports the Joint NBC Regiment.

Offshore Medical Facilities (Gulf)

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what offshore medical facilities would be available in the event of operations in the Gulf.

Lewis Moonie: All Royal Navy ships and submarines have primary care medical facilities. In addition, we could draw on the emergency surgical facilities in our aircraft carriers, HMS OCEAN and two Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels. If required, hospital care could be provided by the primary casualty receiving facility in RFA ARGUS.

Operation Amber Fox

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2002, ref 82556, what factors will determine the length of the period for which Operation Amber Fox will continue under a NATO mandate.

Adam Ingram: Operation Amber Fox concludes on 15 December 2002 and will be succeeded by the NATO-led Operation ALLIED HARMONY on 16 December 2002: Operation ALLIED HARMONY is scheduled to operate until 16 June 2003.
	The factors which determine the length of the NATO operation remain those normally applied: namely, the assessment of military requirements and the views of the Macedonian authorities. A NATO review of Operation ALLIED HARMONY is planned for February 2003.
	We remain keen to see an ESDP operation in Macedonia once permanent EU-NATO arrangements are in place.

Operation Sandcastle

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 November Ref. 81327, if he will publish the conclusions of the report.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 2 December 2002
	Conclusion
	XInvestigations by the SIB RMP major enquiry team tasked by the Secretary of State for Defence to collect and collate evidence of war crimes committed against or witnessed by British citizens in the Gulf from 2 August 1990 to the cessation of hostilities have revealed considerable and compelling evidence of systematic and continuous grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention committed by the Iraqi authorities, members of the Iraqi armed forces and their collaborators against the personal and property rights of British subjects".

Parachute Training

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes there will be in the level of actual parachute training as a result of the virtual reality simulator.

Lewis Moonie: The level of parachute training undertaken from aircraft has not changed as a result of the introduction into service of the parachute Virtual Reality Simulator in 1999. The Virtual Reality Simulator enhances the training and safety of static line square parachute courses, but does not reduce the number of descents or flying hours required to complete the static line square parachute course.

PFI

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the PFI projects approved by his Department since 1st April together with (a) the capital value and (b) the through-project costs estimated in each case.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has signed three PFI deals since 1 April 2002. These are as follows with details in rounded resource cost terms:
	(a) Materials Handling Equipment (MHE) Service XFollow-on",which has a capital value of #40 million and estimated through project costs of #50 million.
	(b) Field Electrical Power Supplies (FEPS), which has a capital value of #70 million and estimated through project costs of #200 million.
	(c) Strategic Sea Lift (Roll-on Roll-off Ferries), which has a capital value of #175 million and estimated through project costs of #950 million.

RAF (Grievances)

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff officers are employed by the Royal Air Force in dealing with redress of grievances; and how many cases are outstanding.

Lewis Moonie: Staff officers throughout the chain of command are involved in processing redresses of complaint among a wide range of other personnel-related duties. Only three staff officers, at HQ Personnel and Training Command, are dedicated to redress work. The number of redresses not yet resolved at Command and Air Force Board level is 359, of which 247 relate to the introduction of Pay 2000.

Separated Service

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much separated service was recorded by the (a) RAF Separated Service Recording System in each year since 1997 and (b) Navy Separated Service Recording System in each year since 2001.

Lewis Moonie: The following table shows how much Separated Service was recorded by the RAF Separated Service Recording System in each financial year since April 1997.
	
		Incidences of Separated Service for operations and training(2)
		
			   Personnel on Separated Service spending  
			  Average trained strength <28 days 28–89 days 90–139 days 140–279 days 280+ days Total personnel spending time on Separated Service Percentage of average trained strength who were on Separated Service Total days spent on Separated Service 
		
		
			 1997–98 53,357 15,123 10,834 4,410 2,113 329 32,809 61 1,744,985 
			 1998–99 52,107 14,097 11,959 5,701 2,489 517 34,763 67 2,085,535 
			 1999–2000 51,358 14,321 11,691 6,431 2,706 456 35,605 69 2,185,558 
			 2000–01 50,328 14,505 11,243 6,036 2,117 374 34,275 68 1,974,563 
			 2001–02 49,266 13,455 11,322 6,514 2,432 87 33,810 69 1,999,168 
			 2002–03(3) 48,781 14,866 9,776 2,710 188 0 27,540 56 1,005,075 
		
	
	(2) An incidence of Separated Service is recorded when an individual is absent from their parent unit on duty for three nights or more and a permanent order has not been issued. The table shows separated service for operational and training commitments excluding resettlement and expedition training.
	(3) Information up to 30 September 2002 only.
	Information from April 2000 excludes weekends where personnel are able to return home while on detached duty.
	The Royal Navy Separated Service Reporting System was introduced in October 2001, initially with data held only at unit level. Information was first collected centrally in July 2002 and results from this will become available once the data have been quality assured and analysed. This is expected to be in the first half of 2003.

Skill Force Scheme

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the pilot Skill Force scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Skill Force scheme is now in its third year in secondary schools at its two original locations. A further nine locations are in their second year of piloting and this autumn we are putting Skill Force teams into a further 13 locations. This latest expansion is being taken forward jointly between the Ministry of Defence and Department of Education and Skills (DfES) as part of DfES's Behaviour Improvement Programme which, in turn, is part of the Government's Street Crime Initiative.
	Independent evaluation of the impact of this exciting scheme is an integral part of the approach we have taken to the piloting of Skill Force. This focuses on testing the scheme's achievement against the key objectives: reducing truancy; reducing exclusions; improving educational and vocational attainment; improving behaviour; and reducing the number of young people who are not in employment, education or training on completion of their mandatory schooling.
	The latest evaluation by the British Market Research Bureau reviews the original schemes in Newcastle Upon Tyne and West Norfolk and shows positive results. Attendance rates exceeded 90 per cent. among children who were otherwise expected to display sharply declining attendance through years 10 and 11; for many it would have been expected that declining attendance would have led eventually to exclusion. Exclusion levels have also reduced dramatically; only 13 participants were excluded, compared to 46 who were identified at being at risk of permanent exclusion. One Norfolk Head Teacher said:
	XThere are youngsters that would have been excluded by now from school if it hadn't been for Skill Force. Some of them have got very challenging behaviours but there has been a noticeable improvement, there's also been a noticeable improvement in their attendance as well".
	Skill Force has been credited as the major factor in raising GCSE A*-C grades from 26 per cent. to 36 per cent. in one of the Newcastle Upon Tyne schools.
	In addition, over half of the parents interviewed have reported more positive behaviour and attitudes which they attribute directly to Skill Force.
	The report also indicated areas where further development of the Schemes could be undertaken and would be beneficial.
	A full copy of the British Market Research Bureau research has already been placed in the Library of the House.

Strategic Sealift Programme

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid by his Department after it assumed responsibility for contract payments in the RoRo strategic sealift programme.

Lewis Moonie: In March 2001 the Ministry of Defence assumed responsibility for the contracts for the two RoRo vessels to be built at Harland and Wolff and made its first payments in respect of the contracts. The payments amounted to some #3.7 million in respect of the first ship and #3.8 million for the second. As both ships are now nearing completion the total sums paid are approaching the contract prices originally agreed between the shipbuilder and the service provider. Total payments are commercially sensitive and I am withholding this information in accordance with Exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to effective management and operations of the public services.

Tactical Nuclear Weapons

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tactical nuclear devices his Department holds.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence holds no tactical nuclear devices.

Tomahawk Missiles

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which submarines are expected to be equipped with Tactical Tomahawk Block IV missiles; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: No decisions have yet been taken on the purchase of Tactical Tomahawk (Block IV) missiles. However, it is planned that all ASTUTE and TRAFALGAR Class submarines will be capable of firing torpedo tube launched Tactical Tomahawk missiles.

UN (Culture of Impunity)

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the request from the United Nations that each member state should adopt exclusionary measures to protect its armed forces against the development of a culture of impunity; and what his policy is if criminal convictions result in individual service personnel being excluded from membership of HM armed forces.

Adam Ingram: There is no culture of impunity in the United Kingdom armed forces, whose members are subject to the ordinary law of the land. Criminal convictions are judged according to their seriousness: minor offences would not necessarily exclude a person from membership of the armed forces; more serious offences, including those leading to a sentence of imprisonment, may be expected to result in dismissal.

Virtual Air Traffic Control Tower

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the costs were of the upgrades to the virtual air traffic control tower; and by how much this project went over budget.

Lewis Moonie: The total cost of the upgrades to the virtual air traffic control tower at the Centralised Air Traffic Control School, RAF Shawbury was #1.15 million inclusive of VAT. The project was completed in November 2001 within the approved budget.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight will receive a reply from the Legal Services Commission to his letter of 31 July and his subsequent letters of 26 September, 11 October and 30 October.

Rosie Winterton: The correspondence from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight has now been dealt with by the Legal Services Commission's (LSC) Reading Office and a response sent on 6 December. The commission regrets the delay in reply.
	Staff turnover has affected recent customer service performance at the LSC's reading office. The LSC is conducting a major review with a view to resolving these difficulties.

Legal Aid

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department under what circumstances it is possible for a person earning #90,000 per year to obtain legal aid.

Rosie Winterton: Such a decision would be very rare. Under the Access to Justice Act 1999, public funding (formerly called legal aid) is provided under the Community Legal Service (CLS) and the Criminal Defence Service (CDS). CLS funding, which covers civil proceedings, is only available for cases within the scope of the scheme subject to a statutory means test and funding assessment. Under the present system a person with an income of #90,000 per year would rarely qualify for civil public funding. It could be possible in cases involving public family law, such as care and supervision orders, child assessment orders, emergency child protection orders; and Mental Health Review Tribunals.
	Any individual charged with an offence and appearing before the courts can receive publicly funded representation without reference to their means where it is in the interests of justice for help to be granted. When the CDS was introduced in April 2001, the means test for criminal legal aid was abolished. It was replaced with a power for judges in the Crown Court to order a convicted defendant to pay some, or all, of the costs incurred in defending him, by way of a Recovery of Defence Costs Order.
	Thus a person with a high income might receive public assistance, but can be required to repay that support. Typically a court will exercise that power if the defendant is found guilty. A defendant found not guilty will almost certainly not have to repay legal aid costs. But this represents no effective change on the position before April 2001. It has always been, and remains, the case that a defendant found not guilty, who pays for his own defence, will almost certainly have the costs of his defence repaid by Government to the extent that such costs accord with legal aid rates.

Sexual Assaults

Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to issue guidance on the inferences to be drawn from the timing of complaints by victims of sexual assaults.

Hilary Benn: I have been asked to reply.
	We have no plans to issue any guidance on this issue. This is a matter of evidence that needs to be decided on the facts of each individual case.

PRIME MINISTER

Iraq

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will name the 10 Iraqi women to whom he referred in his oral answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, on 4 December; and what reports the Government have received on the circumstances of their leaving Iraq.

Tony Blair: On 2 December I met a group of Iraqi women who had suffered human rights violations by Saddam Hussein's regime. All the women had had direct experience of Saddam Hussein's brutality.
	Some of the women present gave a press briefing on 21 November which highlighted the brutality of the Iraqi regime and drew attention to the plight of Iraqi women who have witnessed killings and other atrocities under Saddam's dictatorship. They also gave details on the circumstances under which they left Iraq. These were Safia Al Souhail, Fatima Bahr Al Ulum, Ala Talabani, Berivan Doski and Melina Bakoos. Because of the risk of reprisals against their families and friends in Iraq, it would be wrong to name those women who have not made their names public.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Access Rights

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made towards giving a right of access to open countryside and common land in the lower north-west area; and if this will be implemented by summer 2004.

Alun Michael: The provisional map of access land for the lower north-west was issued on 18 November. There is now a three-month period when anyone with a legal interest in the land may lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate against the inclusion of their land as access land on the provisional map. We expect a conclusive map to be issued at the end of 2003, but this depends on the number of appeals. On current plans, I intend to open the new statutory right of access in the lower north-west and upper north-west together during the autumn of 2004. This will be followed by the north-east and the south-west in the first six months of 2005, with all access land opened by the end of 2005.

Correspondence

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letters of 2 December 2001 from the hon. Member for Workington which were passed to her for reply on 8 March.

Alun Michael: Unfortunately the Department has no record of receiving this correspondence. However, I have asked Correspondence Section to contact my hon. Friend as a matter of urgency to obtain copies of his letters so that we may deal with them speedily.

Farmed Salmon

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information her Department has collated about the level of toxins found in farmed salmon; what assessment she has made of the risk to human health; and if she will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the Government have been monitoring and releasing information on chemicals in food, including farmed salmon, for over 10 years. Information on fish, including farmed salmon, has been published in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's Food Surveillance Paper No. 31, and Food Surveillance Information Sheets Nos. 71, 89, 105, 145, 184 and 191. The most recent information has been published by the FSA in its Food Survey Information Sheets Nos. 4/00, and 5/00, and the FSA Press Release of 10 May which issued precautionary advice for certain population groups on eating shark, swordfish and marlin. Copies of all these papers will be placed in the Library. The FSA is also aware of a range of published studies that have been carried out both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
	The FSA advises that consumers should eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily, as part of a healthy, balanced diet. The FSA has however been asked about the risks and benefits of eating larger amounts of fish, including oily fish such as salmon, and currently is seeking advice on this from its independent experts.

Fats and Proteins(UK) Ltd

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department intends to provide a minded-to letter for Lancaster City Council in the matter of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the appeal by Fats and Proteins (UK) Limited.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 4 December 2002
	A letter, outlining the decision which the Department proposes to make in respect of the appeal by Fats and Proteins (UK) Limited, will be sent shortly.

Long-distance Trails

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding has been available for the maintenance of long-distance trails in each of the last four years; what estimate she has made of the cost per kilometre of (a) restoring and (b) maintaining long-distance trails; and what budget is available for the repair and maintenance of the Ridgeway.

Alun Michael: Through the Countryside Agency DEFRA funds 75 per cent. of the cost of maintaining National Trails. The other 25% is funded by the highway authorities. The Countryside Agency states that their funding has been as follows for established National Trails:
	
		(#) 
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Maintenance 1,800,000 1,951,000 911,000 900,000 1,300,000 
			 Maintenance plus salaries, support and marketing 2,204,000 2,223,000 1,176,000 1,170,000 1,580,000 
		
	
	a) There are no specific restoration costs per kilometre available.
	b) The average maintenance costs per kilometre of each National Trail are as follows, although again there are major variations in the work needed:
	
		(#) 
		
			  Maintenance materials only plus salaries and overheads etc 
		
		
			 Pennine Way 383 641 
			 Cleveland Way 310 606 
			 Offa's Dyke Path 88 143 
			 South Downs Way 396 741 
			 South West Coast Path 516 719 
			 Ridgeway/Thames Path 110 536 
			 North Downs Way 153 368 
			 Wolds Way 191 346 
			 Peddar's Way/Norfolk Coast Path 288 450 
			 Average 271 505 
		
	
	In the case of Offa's Dyke Path the figures are for the English element of the Trail and the rest of the funding comes from Countryside Council for Wales. Thames Path and Ridgeway figures are combined due to joint management structures. This year the Ridgeway/Thames Path have received #203,705 via the Countryside Agency and #53,460 from highway authorities. This figure includes all maintenance costs and salaries.

Organic Milk

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funds have been allocated to the marketing and promotion of organic milk in the UK in each of the next five years; what funds have been spent in each of the years the Organic Farming Scheme has been in operation; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: No funds have been allocated to the marketing and promotion of organic milk in the next five years. However, under the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP), funding is generally available for the marketing of quality agricultural produce, including organic, through the Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES), and for capital projects through the Processing and Marketing Grant (PMG). Under RES, farmers and others are able to propose projects for the marketing of any organic product.
	Non-capital grants are also available under the Agriculture Development Scheme. For all of these schemes, applications need to comply with scheme rules and each is considered on its merits in competition with others. State aid rules limit the extent that Government can support the promotion or advertising of agricultural produce. Previously, the organic milk sector also benefited under the Marketing Development Scheme (MDS), which is now closed to new applicants.
	During the life of the Organic Farming Scheme, which since April 1999 has assisted farmers to convert land to organic farming methods, but leaves them free to decide which enterprise to pursue, the following sums have been awarded to organic milk related projects under relevant schemes:
	
		
			  # 
		
		
			 Agriculture Development Scheme 
			 2001 22,548 
			  Marketing Development Scheme (MDS) (closed) 
			 1999 7,908 
			 2000 22,904 
			 2001 6,086 
			  Processing and Marketing Grant (PMG)(4) 
			 2001–02 3,869.10 
			 2002–03 222,860.90 (committed) 
			 2003–04 25,235 (committed) 
		
	
	(4) Two projects are currently being funded in England under the Processing and Marketing Grant.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Colombia (Trials)

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many embassy staff, and of what grade, have been assigned to observe the trial of Niall Connolly, James Monaghan and Martin McCauley in Bogota, Colombia.

Denis MacShane: None.

Iraq (Human Rights)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps were taken to verify the information included in the report, XSaddam Hussein: Crimes and Human Rights Abuses", published on 2 December; and what considerations underpinned the timing of the release of the report.

Mike O'Brien: The report is based on the testimony of Iraqi exiles, evidence gathered by UN rapporteurs and human rights organisations, and intelligence material. The report was released to provide the public with accurate information about the ruthless nature of Saddam Hussein's regime in the context of the Government's policy towards Iraq, the focus of which is the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

Iraq (Human Rights)

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the (a) preparation and (b) publication of special reports on human rights abuses in (a) Israel and (b) Saudi Arabia.

Bill Rammell: The FCO lays before Parliament an Annual Report on Human Rights detailing UK action to promote human rights around the world. This year's Report was laid on 26 September. There are sections on Israel and Saudi Arabia. HMG has no plans to issue special reports listing human rights violations in Israel and Saudi Arabia.
	HMG continues to believe that in the vast majority of countries progress on human rights is best achieved by engagement and critical dialogue.

Official Travel

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total expenditure of (a) his Department and (b) its agencies was on official travel in 2001–02.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 3 December 2002
	Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing #500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 was published on 24 July 2002, Official Report, columns 1374–75W. The cost of Ministers' visits overseas for 2002–03 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.
	All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
	The total expenditure on official travel in the FCO during 2001–02 was #12,502,000.

Official Travel

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total budget of (a) his Department and (b) its agencies is for official travel in 2002–03.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 3 December 2002
	Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing 500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 was published on 24 July 2002, Official Report, columns 1374–75W. The cost of Ministers' visits overseas for 2002–03 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House.
	All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
	The FCO does not budget centrally at this level of detail.

Travel Advice

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what co-ordination exists between the United States, Australian, French and British governments to ensure that travel advice is consistent.

Jack Straw: Some consultation takes place with key allies, including the United States, Australia and France, on the evaluation of risks to travellers and communities abroad. Each country retains responsibility for formulating its advice for its own nationals, in the light of its own judgements. But we continue to develop mechanisms to improve information sharing.

Travel Advice

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when in the last two months his Department's travel advice on (a) Africa, (b) South East Asia, (c) Latin America and (d) the Asian sub-continent was revised.

Jack Straw: FCO Travel Advice is under constant review. It was revised for the following areas on the following dates:
	Africa:
	Angola— 18 October and 4 November, Benin 18 October and 2 November, Botswana– 18 October; Burkina Faso—18 October; Burundi—18 and 28 October; Cameroon—2, 18 and 23 October and 29 November; Cape Verde 18 October; Central African Republic—18 and 28 October and 28 November; Chad— 18 October; Comoros—18 October; Congo (Rep of)—18 October; Congo (Democratic Rep of)—18 October; Cote d'lvoire—2, 9, 11, 16, 17 18, 22, 23, 28 and 31 October and 4 and 15 November; Djibouti—18 October, 29 November and 5 December; Equatorial Guinea—18 October and 28 November; Eritrea—18 October, 29 November and 5 December; Ethiopia- 18 October and 5, 8, 29 November and 5 December; Gabon 18 October and 28 November; The Gambia -18 and 25 October and 12 November; Ghana—18 October and 6 November; Guinea 18 October; Guinea Bissau—18 October; Kenya—2 and 18 October, 6, 28 and 29 November and 5 December; Lesotho 15 and 18 October, 20 November and 4 December; Liberia 18 October and 4 December; Madagascar—16 and 18 October and 7 November; Malawi—18 October; Mali—18 and 31 October; Mauritius— 18 and 31 October; Mozambique—18 October; Namibia— 18 October; Niger—18 October; Nigeria—18 October and 25 and 29 November; Rwanda—18 October; Sao Tome and Principe— 12 and 13 November; Senegal—18 October; Seychelles—18, 29 October; Sierra Leone 18 October and 28 November; Somalia—18 October, 29 November and 5 December; South Africa—18 and 31 October and 20, 27 and 29 November; Swaziland—18 October and 20 November; Tanzania 18 and 24 October, 29 November and 5 December; Togo 18 October and 6 November; Uganda— 18 October, 7 and 29 November and 5 December; Zambia— 18 October and 20 November; Zimbabwe -4, 18 and 31 October and 8 and 27 November.
	South East Asia:
	Brunei—15, 17, and 18 October and 1 November; Burma—15, 18 and 23 October; Cambodia—15, 18 21, 23 and 25 October and 5 November; East Timor—15 to 18 October and 4 December; Indonesia—13, 15, 17, 18, 21 and 25 October and 25 November; Laos—15 and 18 October; Malaysia—15 and 18 October; Philippines—15, 18 and 28 October and 1, 11 and 22 November and 3 December; Singapore—15 and 18 October; Thailand—15, 18 and 28 October and 29 November; Vietnam 15 and 18 October.
	Latin America:
	Argentina—18, 23 and 31 October; Belize—18 October; Bolivia—18 October; Brazil—18 October; Chile—18 October; Colombia—18 and 28 October; Costa Rica 18 October and 12 November; Ecuador—16 and 18 October and 4, 6, 14 and 26 November; El Salvador—18 October; Guatemala 18 October and 25 November; Guyana—18 October and 5 November; Haiti—18 October and 20 November; Honduras—18 and 29 October; Mexico—2 and 18 October and 15 November; Nicaragua—18 October; Panama—18 October; Paraguay—18 October; Peru 18 and 15 October and 12 November; Uruguay 18 October; Venezuela—3, 9, 18 and 29 October and 20 November. Asian sub-continent: Bangladesh—4, 18 and 30 October; India 18 and 30 October and 13 and 29 December; Pakistan—8, 14, 18 and 24 October and 1 and 22 November. October and 6 November;Uganda—18 October, 7 and 29 November and 5 December; Zambia—18 October and 20 November; Zimbabwe—4, 18 and 31 October and 8 and 27 November. South East Asia: Brunei—15, 17, and 18 October and 1 November; Burma—15, 18 and 23 October; Cambodia—15, 18 21, 23 and October and 5 November; East Timor—15 and 18 October and 4 December; Indonesia—13, 15, 17, 18, 21 and 25 October 25 November; Laos—15 and 18 October; Malaysia—15 and 18 October; Philippines—15, 18 and 28 October and 1, 11 and 22 November and 3 December; Singapore—15 and 18 October; Thailand—15, 18 and 28 October and 29 November; Vietnam—15 and 18 October. Argentina—18, 23 and 31 October; Belize—18 October; Bolivia—18 October; Brazil—18 October; Chile—18 October; Colombia—18 and 28 October; Costa Rica—18 October and 12 November; Ecuador—16 & 18 October and 4, 6, 14 and 26 November; El Salvador—18 October; Guatemala 18 October and 25 November; Guyana—18 October and 5 November; Haiti—18 October and 20 November; Honduras—18 and 29 October; Mexico 2 and 18 October and 15 November; Nicaragua—18 October; Panama—18 October; Paraguay—18 October; Peru—18 and 15 October and 12 November; Uruguay—18 October; Venezuela—3, 9, 18 and 29 October and 20 November.
	Asian sub-continent:
	Bangladesh—4, 18 and 30 October; India—18 and 30 October and 13 and 29 December; Pakistan—8, 14, 18 and 24 October 8 and 22 November.

TRANSPORT

A12/Colchester Northern Approach Road Junction

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when a decision will be made to approve a junction between the A12 and the Colchester Northern Approach Road; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The principle of a junction between the A12 and the Colchester Northern Approach Road has been agreed for some time, but the Highways Agency is not yet able to fully assess the impact of the proposed new junction on the safety and operation of the A12. Despite several meetings and requests, a number of issues remain outstanding with the developer. No decision can be made until the Highways Agency is in possession of all necessary information to determine the application.

Air Transport

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give an early response to the Midlands section of the National Consultation on the Future of Air Transport.

David Jamieson: This is a national consultation and decisions taken in one area will have an effect on decisions for other parts of the UK. Therefore, we will make our decisions in the Air Transport White Paper, based on consideration of all responses received across the UK, once the extended consultation period has finished.

Air Transport

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it is his policy that before any option for Birmingham Airport is included in the White Paper, he will satisfy himself that the shareholders have sufficient funds available to fund the option stated in the White Paper.

David Jamieson: Options included in the Air Transport White Paper will form a strategic framework for air transport in the UK for the next 30 years. We will wish to assure ourselves, as far as foreseeable, that preferred options have a reasonable prospect of being financially deliverable.

Air Transport

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the Air Transport Consultation Process, whether the 30 year economic appraisal for the second runway at Birmingham Airport will commence in the year following completion.

David Jamieson: The benefit stream for Birmingham International airport, with an additional second runway, has been estimated from the year following completion. The economic performance will vary depending upon the year of opening.

Air Transport

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many aircraft departed from (a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted airports in each month since December 2000, broken down by aircraft type; and which are exempt from noise limit standards announced on 18 December 2000.

David Jamieson: 22 individual aircraft, which were given specific exemptions from the Chapter 2 phase out provisions in the EC Directive 92/14, were also given exemptions from the new daytime noise limit (94dBA Lmax) announced on 18 December 2000 and introduced on 25 February 2001. The exemptions applied until 31 March 2002.
	During this period the actual number of departures by relevant aircraft was as follows:
	Heathrow Nil
	Gatwick Two (both in January 2002)
	Stansted Two (one in March 2001, one in January 2002)
	All of these movements were by DC8F-55s; none exceeded 94dBA at the relevant noise monitor, even though exempt from that limit.

Air Transport

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that a Minister from his Department attends a public meeting on Canvey Island, organised by the hon. Member for Castle Point, to discuss the Government's Cliffe Airport option.

David Jamieson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced to Parliament on 28 November 2002, Official Report, columns 474–75, that the consultation on airports capacity will be kept open until we have consulted on options for new runways in relation to Gatwick.
	We will set out our plans for the remaining stage of the consultation process when we publish the further consultation paper in the new year.

Air Transport

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many responses had been received by 30 November in response to (a) the consultation document, Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation and (b) each of the regional consultation documents on the Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (i) in total and (ii) for each region;
	(2)  how many copies of the (a) main document and (b) summary of the (i) national and (ii) regional consultation documents on Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom have been issued in hard copy as a result of each exhibition which has taken place to promote the consultation as of 30 November;
	(3)  how many copies of the (a) main document and (b) summary of the consultation documents (i) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: A National Consultation, (ii) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: North of England, (iii) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South West, (iv) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: Midlands, (v) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: Wales and (vi) Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom: South East have been (A) issued in hard copy and (B) downloaded from the website by 30 November;
	(4)  what the cost to his Department has been of (a) the exhibitions promoting the consultation documents on the Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom and (b) the printing costs relating to the publication of the consultation documents as of 30 November.

David Jamieson: As at 30 November a total of over 118,000 main and over 180,000 summary consultation documents had been issued. A breakdown by area for both hard copy and website downloads is given as follows. The figures include consultation documents distributed at public exhibitions across the country. A breakdown of the numbers issued at individual exhibitions is not available.
	
		
			  Hard copy Website downloads  
			 Region Main Summary Main Summary 
		
		
			 North of England 13,005 48,343 14,382 7,954 
			 South West 5,366 13,876 8,977 8,869 
			 Midlands 35,297 45,696 8,767 10,484 
			 Wales 4,135 5,453 2,872 2,244 
			 South East 50,590 49, 399 67,299 73,878 
			 Northern Ireland 4,317 8,982 3,083 2,286 
			 Scotland 5,810 11,642 11,499 17,531 
			 Total 118,520 183,391 116,879 123,246 
		
	
	To date, nationally, over 30,000 completed NOP questionnaires and around 31,000 letters responding to the consultations have been received. Additionally, around 2,000 responses have been received via the dedicated website. Very large numbers of responses are arriving and we do not yet have accurate numbers broken down by region.
	As part of the consultation there have been 17 exhibitions which cost approximately #929,000. The cost of producing the seven detailed consultation documents and seven summary documents was #609,000.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced to Parliament on 28 November 2002, Official Report, columns 474–75, the consultation on airports capacity will be kept open until we have consulted on options for new runways in relation to Gatwick. We will publish a further consultation document in the new year.

Channel Tunnel Links

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of private investment in the Thames Gateway area in advance of the completion and opening of the section of the High Speed Channel Tunnel Link between the Tunnel entrance and Fawkham Junction; what the level of investment was in each case, and what investment is anticipated for future years.

David Jamieson: My Department's value for money assessment of the 1998 deal to secure construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link included an assessment of the regeneration benefits of the project. The main private investment impacts of the Link for the Thames Gateway area were anticipated to be associated with Ebbsfleet station. Details of the assessment are reported in the Public Accounts Committee, Twenty-Second Report, Session 2001–02, Appendix 2.

Cliffe Airport

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his Answers of 2 December, Official Report, column 498W, on the Cliffe Airport Option, how he identified suitable venues for the exhibitions (a) in relation to proximity to the airport option and affected areas, (b) venue capacity, (c) accessibility and (d) availability; and in each case how many and which other alternative locations were considered.

David Jamieson: holding answer 5 December 2002
	Specialist consultants in event management were commissioned to identify suitable venues and to organise the public exhibitions on the airport options.
	Using a database of potential venues in the region, they were able to recommend the most suitable venue for each airport exhibition taking account of the listed criteria.

Disabled Access

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 2 December, Official Report, column 500W, how many of the stations owned by (a) London Underground and (b) train operating companies, defined as step free, rely on a lift service in their qualification as a step free station.

David Jamieson: Thirteen London Underground stations rely on lifts in their qualification as step free, as do three of the TOC-owned stations served by London Underground.

Disabled Access

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met members of the Strategic Rail Authority regarding disabled access to train station platforms.

David Jamieson: I, and other departmental Ministers, meet the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Strategic Rail Authority on a regular basis; specifically to discuss aspects or the Authority's work, or as part of wider industry meetings.

European Ports

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the European Commission has decided to investigate public financing and charging in European ports in its proposed Directive on Market Access to Port Services.

David Jamieson: The Transport Council has adopted a common position on the Ports Directive and has also asked the Commission to present proposals for measures on public financing of port infrastructure, state aids and transparency. We understand that the Commission is currently working on these issues.

Fatigue-Related Road Accidents

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives have been undertaken by his Department to reduce fatigue-related road accidents since 1 January 2000; when each initiative took place; how much each cost; to whom contracts were awarded; what assessment has been undertaken of the projects; and what further action is planned.

David Jamieson: The Department is concerned about fatigue-related road accidents and has an extensive programme of publicity and research aimed at reducing these.
	The Department has been using a variety of media to encourage drivers to plan their trips and to take suitable breaks on long journeys. These include:
	nine bursts of radio advertising since August 2000 at a total cost of #1,165,000,
	TV advertising in January, April, and August 2002 at a cost of #814,000,
	poster advertising in July and December 2000, and in February 2002 at a cost of
	#121,000,
	some two million advisory leaflets costing #17,000 have been printed and
	distributed, many at Motorway Service Areas.
	The total publicity spend in the current financial year on driver sleepiness has been #1.152 million, which is just over 8.4 per cent. of the publicity budget.
	Since January 2000, advertising agency AMV.BBDO has been responsible for the creative work for the campaigns. Media buying until July 2002 was contracted to PHD, and to Carat Ltd. since then.
	Quantitative tracking research demonstrates that awareness of the dangers of driving while tired has increased considerably. The costs of this are included in tracking all aspects of the Department's Think! Road Safety campaign, which is contracted to Taylor, Nelson, Sofres.
	Nearly 400 Variable Message Signs on Motorways were used during the 2002 Easter period to carry the 'Don't Drive Tired' message in support of TV advertising. Over half those questioned at Motorway Service Areas said they had assessed their tiredness after seeing the message and some 12 per cent. of those surveyed decided to take a break as a result. The Variable Message Signs will continue to be used for this purpose over the coming year. The cost to the Highways Agency was some #40,000. Molt MacDonald (Consultants) were the project managers, SSL Ltd. and D.S. & S. Ltd. dealt with software changes and the Agency's routine maintenance contractors undertook the software installation. MVA Consultancy Ltd. surveyed drivers.
	Advice on how to avoid and combat driver tiredness is in The Highway Code and on the DfTs road safety website at Xwww.think.dft.gov.uk". We will continue to warn drivers of the dangers of falling asleep at the wheel.
	The Department has also undertaken considerable research to study driver sleepiness. The university of Loughborough Sleep Research Laboratory was contracted to carry out a series of road audits into sleep-related vehicle accidents on sections of selected trunk roads and motorways in the UK. The results were published in February 2001 in Road Safety Research Reports No. 21 and 22, available on-line at Xwww.roads.dft.gov.uk/roadsafety/index.htm". The cost was #268,000. This contract has been extended and requires the Loughborough Laboratory to undertake six more audits. The cost is expected to be #120,000 and the report is due to be submitted in May 2003.
	Loughborough Sleep Research Laboratory have also been contracted to produce the following reports:
	XOver the counter medicines and the potential for unwanted sleepiness in drivers. A review". The report was published in February 2001 as Road Safety Research Report No 24 and is available on-line as above. The cost was #5,000.
	XA survey of Public Education Literature regarding Driver Sleepiness". The report
	was published in February 2001 and is available on-line at Xwww.roads.dft.gov.uk/roadsafety/sleepiness/index.htm". The cost was #5,000.
	On-going research, scheduled for completion during December 2002, into Xthe
	interactions between sleepiness and moderate alcohol intake". The cost is expected to be #198,000.
	A new research contract is being prepared to study XThe Effectiveness of Motorway Service Areas in reducing fatigue-related accidents". This is scheduled to start in January 2003 and last one year.

Intelligent Traffic Control Systems

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken by his Department to support the development of Intelligent Traffic Control systems across the United Kingdom; what financial support has been given to pilot or full projects, including those in (a) Reading, (b) Preston, (c) Stratford-upon-Avon and (d) York; over what timescale the projects have operated; what the expected outcomes of the projects were in each case; what assessment has been made by his Department in each case; and what the outcomes from each project have been, including their impact on congestion.

David Jamieson: There are a wide range of Intelligent Traffic Control systems used by both the Highways Agency and local authorities. The Department, through the Highways Agency, has supported the development of these systems on the motorway and trunk road network. Most of the local authority schemes are funded through Local Transport Plan settlements. Specific initiatives to support this include:
	ITS Assist—helping and encouraging local authorities to use new information and communication technology, including traffic control, in their plans;
	Clear Zones—encouraging innovative planning and use of technology, including for traffic management, to minimise the impacts of traffic in towns;
	Research—into traffic control systems and techniques for networks and isolated signalled junction and pedestrian crossings; and
	UTMC—The Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) programme was devised by the Department to provide the framework to support efficient and effective network management in towns and cities. This concept is being developed and taken forward primarily through a five-year, #6 million research programme.
	As part of this, four demonstration projects were started in September 2000 and are due to complete in 2003. These are in Reading, Preston, Stratford-upon-Avon and York. The Department has contributed #1.7 million to these demonstration projects.
	A structure for evaluation of the projects has been agreed with the local authorities, reflecting their transport and environmental objectives, including impacts on congestion. As the projects are not complete, assessments cannot yet be made, but will be reported when the projects conclude.
	I have arranged for copies of leaflets describing the above initiatives to be sent to the hon. Member and also placed in the Libraries of the House.

International Maritime Organisation

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his Department of the success of the International Maritime Organisation's Quality Shipping Campaign.

David Jamieson: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has a key role in the international Quality Shipping Campaign, which is designed to rid the seas of substandard shipping. Progress is being made, not least in terms of the growing acceptance that there is a real need for more effective and consistent implementation of convention requirements by owners and flag States, reinforced through targeted Port State Control. But there is still a long way to go before we achieve the Campaign's objectives.
	One tangible initiative to arise from the Campaign has been the setting up of the EQUASIS database. This provides the industry with freely accessible safety-related information on the quality of the world's merchant fleet, answering calls for greater transparency. Charterers can no longer justifiably claim ignorance as an excuse for engaging in business with substandard ships.

Lane Rental Charges

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the pilot schemes testing lane rental charges in Middlesbrough and the London Borough of Camden will end; and when the conclusions will be published.

David Jamieson: The pilots are scheduled to continue until March 2004. My Department has appointed consultants, Halcrow, to carry out a study monitoring the effect of the pilot schemes. I expect to receive their first report shortly and copies will be placed in the House Libraries in due course.

Local Transport Plan

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) kilometres of local roads, (b) bridges and (c) footways have been restored by local authorities using money in the Local Transport Plan settlement for capital maintenance work on local highways for (i) 2001–02 and (ii) 2002–03, (A) in total and (B) for each local authority.

David Jamieson: Highway maintenance is funded from Revenue Support Grant as well as the Local Transport Plan settlement. It is not possible to identify works funded through either source separately.
	Local road condition is monitored through the National Road Maintenance Condition Survey. The latest results for 2001 showed that there was a possibility that deterioration in their condition may have been arrested, but this could not be confirmed until the results of subsequent years were available.
	From the data supplied through Local Transport Plan returns, 4,746 bridges on local roads required strengthening in 2000 and 4,504 in 2002.

Montford Bridge Junction

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Highways Agency has made of the safety of the junction between the A5 and the B4380 at Montford Bridge.

David Jamieson: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from Mr. Tim Matthews to Mr. Paul Marsden dated 9 December 2002
	I have been asked by the Transport Minister, David Jamieson, to reply to your recent question about the safety of the junction between the A5 and the B4380 at Montford Bridge.
	The Highways Agency shares the concerns of local people about the accidents that have occurred at this junction and we have instructed our Managing Agent for the A5, as a matter of urgency, to explore what measures might be used to improve safety in the short term.
	Montford Bridge was identified as a junction where safety is an issue in a Road Based Study completed in May. The study was commissioned by the Government Office for the West Midlands with the objective of making recommendations for addressing safety and congestion problems on the route between Shrewsbury and Chester. One of its recommendations is that a Route Management Strategy should be undertaken to support delivery of improvements to specific trouble spots, such as Montford Bridge.
	The Highways Agency, jointly with the National Assembly for Wales, have commissioned the Route Management Strategy study which is designed to develop a three year Action Plan and a ten year Route Management Plan for the A5/A483. It will further analyse the accident locations identified in the Road Based Study, including Montford Bridge, to suggest solutions and recommend priorities.
	I hope this is helpful; we will ensure that you are kept informed of developments on all these fronts. If you would like more information, the Agency's Route Sponsor for this part of the A5, Liz Talbot, would be pleased to help. She can be contacted at jour offices at Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham B15 1BL, or by telephone on 0121 678 8746.

Motorists (Mobile Phone Use)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will report on the findings of the consultations into introducing legislation to regulate the use of hands-free telephones in motor vehicles; when he intends the legislation will take effect; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Consultation on a proposal to prohibit the use of hand-held mobile phones when driving ended on 25 November 2002. Some 1,000 responses have been received and the Department is now considering these. An announcement on the results of consultation will be made as soon as possible.

Norwich Airport

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the environmental effects of the planned expansion of Norwich Airport.

David Jamieson: XThe Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East)" main consultation document summarises in chapter 12, paragraphs 12.1–12.10, the analysis undertaken as part of the SERAS Study relating to Norwich Airport.
	Further details of the appraisal of the impacts of, and constraints upon, development at Norwich Airport are reported in the XSmall Airports—Demand and Impact Appraisal" (August 2001) and XSmall Airports Optioneering" (January 2002) reports.
	Copies of these documents have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Roads

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his policy on encouraging the use of trenchless construction methods on existing roads.

David Jamieson: We believe that it is vital to reduce the unnecessary disruption which works on roads cause to road users, and are taking a range of measures to achieve this. The use of trenchless techniques can help reduce this disruption, although there will be many occasions when—for technical reasons—these will not be suitable. My Department has recently set up a working party, involving representatives of local authorities and utility companies, to look at ways in which greater use can be made of trenchless techniques when works are carried out in the street.

Roads

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost to local authorities was of roads maintenance and repair in each financial year since 2000–01 in respect of (a) flood and (b) other damage (i) in total and (ii) for each local authority.

David Jamieson: Information on flood damage is not collected centrally on a regular basis. However, local highway authorities were asked in 2001 about the damage caused to highways by the severe flooding in the previous winter and spring. Their responses are shown in the table:
	
		Flood damage to bridges and highways: Reported costs to local authorities as at 29 June 2001 -- #000
		
			  Reported flood damage 
		
		
			  
			 Kent 7,060 
			 Hampshire 6,531 
			 North Yorkshire 3,275 
			 Surrey 3,204 
			 Devon 2,700 
			 West Sussex 2,642 
			 East Sussex 2,505 
			 Gloucestershire 2,405 
			 Wiltshire 2,365 
			 Herefordshire 1,640 
			 Northumberland 1,497 
			 Shropshire 1,453 
			 Hertfordshire 1,275 
			 Oldham 1,199 
			 Dorset 817 
			 Telford/Wrekin 748 
			 West Berkshire 557 
			 Brighton and Hove 510 
			 Durham 508 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 430 
			 Medway Towns 302 
			 Transport for London 300 
			 Lincolnshire 286 
			 South Gloucs 210 
			 Somerset 207 
			 Leeds 155 
			 Hartlepool 144 
			 Richmond 130 
			 Enfield 104 
			 Total 45,478 
		
	
	No information on other damage to highways has been collected centrally since 2000–01.

Roads

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles used each of the roads built or operating using the design, build, finance and operate contracting method, in each month of operation; who the contractor was in each case; how much was paid under each contract; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The table shows the traffic figures (in vehicle kilometres) for each financial year for each of my Department's design build finance and operate projects since these were opened to traffic. Providing figures for each month would be disproportionately expensive.
	
		
			 Project Company Length of road (km) 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 M1-A1 Yorkshire Link Ltd. 30 — 640 676 716 
			 A69 Road Link (A69) Ltd. 84 489 494 488 505 
			 A19 Autolink Concessionaires (A19) Ltd. 118 — 1,565 1,611 1,637 
			 A50 Connect (A50) Ltd. 57 — 675 731 793 
			 M40 UK Highways M40 Ltd. 122 — 3,844 3,859 3,932 
			 A1(M) Road Management Services (Peterborough) Ltd. 21 — 405 416 429 
			 A417/A419 Road Management Services (Gloucester) Ltd. 52 544 574 582 604 
			 A30/A35 Connect (A30/A35) Ltd. 102 — — 591 634 
		
	
	Note
	Figures are given in millions of vehicle kilometres
	The following table shows the total payments made under my Department's design build finance and operate contracts.
	
		
			 Financial Year # million 
		
		
			 1998–99 105 
			 1999–2000 119 
			 2000–01 142 
			 2001–02 130 
		
	
	The A13 DBFO scheme is operated by CountyRoute (A130) plc under a contract let by Essex county council. I am unable to advise on the detailed information requested as that is a matter between Essex county council and their contractor.

Statutory Harbour Authorities

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the statutory harbour authorities in the UK broken down by (a) companies, (b) local authorities and (c) trusts; which authorities have (i) completed and (ii) not completed implementation of the port marine safety code; and what steps he is taking to ensure full compliance.

David Jamieson: We have concentrated our monitoring on harbour authorities that have powers in relation to the regulation of shipping and safety of navigation under the Pilotage Act 1987—Xcompetent harbour authorities"—because they comprise virtually all ports with significant functions to which the Code applies, and also account for almost all commercial port traffic. To date, the following competent harbour authorities have told my Department that they have implemented the Port Marine Safety Code:
	(a) Company Ports
	Associated British Ports:
	- Ayr
	- Barrow
	- Barry
	- Cardiff
	- Fleetwood
	- Garston
	- Goole
	- Grimsby
	- Hull
	- Immingham
	- Ipswich
	- King's Lynn
	- Lowestoft
	- Newport (Gwent)
	- Plymouth
	- Port Talbot
	- Silloth
	- Southampton
	- Swansea
	- Teignmouth
	- Troon
	- Whitby
	Boston
	Brighton Marina Estate Management Company
	Bristol Port Company
	Clydeport
	Falmouth Docks & Engineering Company
	Forth Ports Ltd (Dundee, Forth, Tilbury)
	Hutchison Ports (Felixstowe, Harwich International)
	Manchester Ship Canal Company
	Mersey Docks & Harbour Company (Heysham, Liverpool, Medway)
	Newhaven Port & Properties Ltd
	Portland Port Ltd
	Port of MostynLtd
	Seaham Harbour Dock Company
	Stena Line Ports (Fishguard, Folkestone, Holyhead)
	Tees & Hartlepool Port Authority
	(b) Local Authority Ports
	Aberdeenshire Council (Macdufi)
	Anglesey County Council (Amlwch)
	Argyle and Bute Council (Rothesay)
	Bristol City Docks
	Carrick District Council (Truro)
	Cumbria County Council (Workington)
	Fenland District Council (Wisbech)
	Gwynedd Council (Porthmadoc)
	Moray Council (Buckie, Burghead, Cullen, Findochty, Hopeman, Portknockie)
	North Devon District Council (Ilfracombe)
	Orkney Islands Council Harbours
	Penwith District Council (Penzance)
	Portsmouth City Council (Portsmouth Commercial Port)
	Sedgemoor District Council (Bridgewater)
	Scarborough Borough Council (Scarborough, Whitby)
	Shetland Islands Council (Lerwick, Scalloway, Sullom Voe)
	South Hams District Council (Salcombe)
	Thanet District Council (Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate)
	Torbay Council (Brixham, Paignton, Torquay)
	Torridge District Council (Bideford)
	West Dorset District Council (Bridport)
	West Somerset District Council (Minehead, Watchet)
	Weymouth & Portland Borough Council
	(c) Trust Ports
	Aberdeen Harbour Board
	Belfast Harbour Commission
	Berwick Harbour Commission
	Blyth Harbour Commission
	Bridlington Harbour Commission
	Caernarfon Harbour Trust
	Carlingford Lough Commission
	Chichester Harbour Conservancy
	Coleraine Harbour Commission
	Cowes Harbour Commisson
	Cromarty Firth Port Authority
	Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority
	Dover Harbour Board
	Falmouth Harbour Board
	Fowey Harbour Commission
	Fraserburgh Harbour Commission
	Gloucester Harbour Trustees
	Great Yarmouth Port Authority
	Harwich Haven Authority
	Inverness Harbour Trust
	King's Lynn Conservancy Board
	Lancaster Port Commission
	Langstone Harbour Board
	Littlehampton Harbour Board
	Lerwick Port Authority
	Londonderry Port
	Lymington Harbour Commission
	Milford Haven Port Authority
	Montrose Port Authority
	Neath Harbour Commission
	Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commission
	Padstow Harbour Commission
	Peterhead Bay Authority
	Peterhead Harbour Trust
	Poole Harbour Commission
	Port of London Authority
	Port of Sunderland Authority
	Port of Plymouth (Cattewater Harbour Commission)
	Shoreham Port Authority
	Stornoway Pier and Harbour Commission
	Teignmouth Harbour Commission
	Tyne Port Authority
	Warkworth Harbour Commission
	Warrenpoint Harbour Authority
	Wells Harbour Commission
	Whitehaven Harbour Commission
	Wick Harbour Trust
	Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) Harbour Commission
	(d) Other public sector ports
	British Waterways Board (Caledonian and Crinan canals, London Docklands, River Ouse, Sharpness Docks)
	Environment Agency (Rye Harbour)
	The following competent harbour authorities have not yet issued a statement of compliance in accordance with the Port Marine Safety Code:
	(a) Company ports
	Eastbourne (Sovereign Harbour)
	Irvine Harbour Company
	Porthleven Harbour & Docks Company
	(b) Local authority ports
	Canterbury District Council (Whitstable)
	Carmarthenshire County Council (Llanelli / Burry Port)
	Exeter City Council
	Isle of Wight Council (Newport)
	Waveney District Council (Southwold)
	Worthing Borough Council
	(c) Trust ports
	Crouch Harbour Authority
	Looe Harbour Commission
	Maldon Harbour Improvement Commission
	Maryport Harbour Commission
	Mousehole Harbour Commission
	Sandwich Port & Haven Commission
	(d) Other
	Duchy of Cornwall (Isles of Scilly)
	Environment Agency Wales (Dee Conservancy)
	Broads Authority
	My officials are continuing to correspond with these harbour authorities and many are reporting that they are in an advanced stage of implementing the Port Marine Safety Code.

TAN21 Computer System

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what specifications were required by his Department in the contract for the development of the TAN21 computer system; what changes to this specification have taken place since the contract was awarded; and when these took place.

David Jamieson: As part of the TAN21 Programme an Invitation to Tender (ITT) was issued through the European Journal (OJEC Ref: S251 (1999/S251– 207302)) for the procurement of TAN's core operational systems. The specification attached to the ITT was based on the requirement to develop the core business applications of licensing, enforcement and bus route registration which would be integrated with support and management systems. This requirement was incorporated as Schedules to the final contract and has not changed.

Train Performance

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (a) how many and (b) what proportion of trains of each train operating company (i) arrived late by (A) more than five minutes and (B) more than 10 minutes and (ii) were cancelled in each month since September 2001.

David Jamieson: Performance figures for each of the train operating companies are published by the Strategic Rail Authority in their quarterly publication XNational Rail Trends", and in more detail in their six monthly publication XOn Track". Copies of these publications are placed in the Library of the House. These next publications are on 12 December.

Vehicle Standards

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have been made to the rules on the (a) environmental, (b) safety and (c) security standards of cars and light vehicles imported from outside the EU since 1 January 2000; what assessment of the effect of the changes has been made; and what further changes are planned.

David Jamieson: Most of the vehicles that are not the subject of a European or National type approval are subject to The Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2001. Those regulations came into force on 1 February that year and replaced the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996 as amended. The regulations prescribe the technical standards the vehicle must meet before it can be licensed and registered for use on public roads. Compliance is determined by individual inspection of the vehicle. The main change was to replace the earlier single-tier set of technical standards with a two-tier system. The first tier—standard Single Vehicle Approval—set technical standards appropriate for vehicles entering service in very low numbers, such as amateur builds. The second tier—Enhanced Single Vehicle Approval (ESVA)—applied higher standards for vehicles being sold or entering service in competition with the mainstream supply of mass-produced cars and light goods vehicles in Britain. ESVA is much closer to the European or British type-approval standards for key safety, environmental and anti-theft items required of the mainstream manufacturers. It thus ensures a consistent level of consumer protection relative to the numbers of vehicles involved.
	We expect to consult very shortly on proposed amendments that reflect practical experience since the new arrangements were introduced. These will include:
	Changes to the arrangements for Disabled Persons Vehicles and for personal imports by serving members of the Armed Forces.
	Various other generally applicable changes on points of technical detail and procedures, most of which would simplify the inspection.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Airport/Port Security

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on changes in security at Northern Ireland's airports and ports following the Prime Minister's recent warning of terrorist attacks.

Jane Kennedy: Security at airports and ports in Northern Ireland, as in the rest of the UK, is kept under continuous review. There have been changes since September 11 to take account of the threat from international terrorism, but it would not be appropriate to comment on the detail.

Baton Guns

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hours of additional training are required to enable PSNI personnel to discharge a Baton Gun to be fired in situations other than public disorder; what the minimum distance is at which a baton round may be discharged at a human target; what level of authorisation is required for this use of the baton gun; and what the reporting requirements are.

Jane Kennedy: The Chief Constable has advised me that in situations where it may be necessary to deploy personnel with baton guns other than public disorder, the preferred option of the PSNI is to deploy Tactical Firearms Teams. Officers within such teams who are trained in the use of the baton gun will, in addition to the initial three-day classification course in respect of the weapon, receive an additional 16 hours of training in the tactical use of the baton gun.
	With regard to the minimum distance in relation to baton round discharge I would refer my hon. Friend to the written reply of the Minister for Policing, Crime Reduction and Community Safety on 6 November 2002, Official Report, column 312W.
	In situations other than public order situations authorisation to deploy Tactical Firearms Teams to carry baton guns lies with an officer of the rank of Assistant Chief Constable. Authority to deploy the baton gun lies with the senior officer in charge of the non-public order incident. The actual firing of the weapon (if such is felt justified) is self-authorised by the individual officer provided that the officer is satisfied that to do so is both lawful and proportionate in the circumstances.
	The firing of a baton gun whether in non-public order or in public order circumstances is classified as the discharge of a firearm. All discharges of firearms by the PSNI are subject to immediate report to the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland for investigation. In addition, when a baton round is discharged a report is sent to the Policing Board for information.

Baton Guns

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to collect information from hospitals and general practitioners that have treated injuries as a result of impact damage of the L21A1 plastic baton round; and what (a) quantitative and (b) qualitative information has he received.

Jane Kennedy: The Government have at present no plans to collect such information from hospitals or general practitioners.
	I understand that the police ombudsman for Northern Ireland does make inquiries of local hospitals after the discharge of rounds by the PSNI. The purpose of such inquiries is to establish whether anyone has suffered injury which may be attributable to a baton round and also to facilitate any necessary evidence gathering. The research report that the ombudsman published in May 2002 summarised the findings of seven reports : 86 per cent. of the 28 rounds that struck persons were observed to have struck the person's legs. While patient confidentiality is an important factor, the ombudsman is looking at ways that might facilitate inquiries.

Belfast Agreement

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether paramilitary groups received public funding for the resettlement of prisoners following their release under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.

Jane Kennedy: No public funding has been paid to Paramilitary organisations for the resettlement of prisoners following their release under the terms of the Belfast Agreement.

Civil Disturbance

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rules govern the relationship between the police and the Army in situations of civil disturbance.

Jane Kennedy: The military support to the Police Service in Northern Ireland is in accordance with Military Task 2—Military Aid to the Civil Power in Northern Ireland.
	The military provide support to the police. The maintenance of order and response to public disorder will, wherever possible, be undertaken by the police. When necessary, the military can be deployed:
	a) in direct support of police as an integral part of operations;
	b) as a contingency reaction force (to deploy into operations at an agreed point); and
	c) as a reserve force (not necessarily in the operations area, but at notice to move within an agreed time).
	The level and type of military deployment will vary depending on the circumstances of the incident and the wider security environment, but the relationship remains one of provision of support to the police.

Cod Fishing

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the response of Her Majesty's Government to the report by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea recommending a total ban on cod fishing in the Irish Sea.

Ian Pearson: Ministers and senior officials from all the regions are working closely to ensure a viable and sustainable fishing industry is maintained. I have given a commitment to work energetically in the interests of the Northern Ireland fishing industry, particularly between now and the vital Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels just before Christmas, to ensure that the Northern Ireland dimension to this complex and difficult problem is not overlooked in developing the United Kingdom position.

Decommissioning

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received on progress with decommissioning; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Secretary of State met the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning on 5 November 2002 and was briefed on progress on decommissioning to date. The Prime Minister categorically stated, on 17 October, that republicans had to make the commitment to exclusively peaceful means, real, total and permanent as should all paramilitary organisations. The IICD will continue to play their part in that process.

Decommissioning

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many weapons the IRA have reported as destroyed to General de Chastelain's International Independent Commission on Decommissioning.

Jane Kennedy: On 23 October 2001 the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning reported that they had witnessed an event which they regarded as significant in which the IRA had put a quantity of arms completely beyond use. The material included arms, ammunition and explosives.
	On 8 April 2002 the IICD reported the IRA had put a varied and substantial quantity of ammunition, arms and explosive material beyond use. An inventory of the arms will be provided to the British and Irish Governments when the Commission's task is completed.
	The arms and material in question have been dealt with in accordance with the decommissioning scheme and regulations.

Draft Harbours (Northern Ireland) Order

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons his Department seeks the powers (a) to issue directive, (b) to obtain information and (c) to issue a code of practice detailed in the draft Harbours (Northern Ireland) Order 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The main reasons for providing this legislation are to further improve the public accountability of Northern Ireland trust ports and to enable the Department for Regional Development to better safeguard the public interest in relation to their commercial activities.
	The proposals were advocated by the Regional Development Committee of the former Northern Ireland Assembly following the completion of an inquiry into a development proposal in Belfast Harbour.

European Funding

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money Northern Ireland has received from (a) Special European Programmes and Initiatives, (b) the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund, (c) the European Regional Development Fund, (d) the European Social Fund and (e) all European Union sources, in each financial year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		European money—1997 to 2002(5)
		
			  EAGGF FIFG ERDF ESF Misc. Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 22,158,556.82 4,680,904.12 61,113,779.16 68,819,213.59 67,519.76 156,839,973.45 
			 1998–99 12,584,851.60 2,151,055.20 115,803,539.45 15,120,464.16 152,996.37 145,812,906.78 
			 1999–2000 38,700,116.77 3,993,133.59 34,341,936.49 61,796,083.14 30,205.37 138,861,475.36 
			 2000–01 1,368,192.83 511,266.42 97,007,617.82 77,421,881.19 117,899.30 176,426,857.56 
			 2001–02 5,449,538.01 1,281,775.97 94,389,146.35 43,202,897.92 47,444.14 144,370,802.39 
			 2002–03 — — 327,709.47 — 13,666.06 341,375.53 
			 Total 80,261,256.03 12,618,135.30 402,983,728.74 266,360,540.00 429,731.00 762,653,391.07 
		
	
	(5) To date.

Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was discussed at the meeting between the National Employers and the Fire Brigades Union in London attended by the Chairman of the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland and referred to in the authority's minutes of 22 January; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Xmeeting" referred to in the authority's minutes of 22 January 2002 was in fact an informal dinner arranged to acquaint the National Employers with recently appointed representatives of the Fire Brigades Union. No official record was kept of their discussion.

Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on which occasions the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland has received a report on the meetings of National Joint Council for Fire Brigade Personnel since 22 January in accordance with the undertaking given to the authority at its meeting on 22 January recorded in minute number 6; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Fire Authority received a report on National Joint Council meetings at each of its monthly meetings from February to date.

Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the circumstances relating to, and the matters referred to, in (a) the HELM Report on Navigator Blue and (b) the Quality and Audit Manager's Report on the same subject provided to the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland.

Des Browne: Shortcomings identified in the Fire Authority's management of its media services contract with Navigator Blue have been addressed. The Authority now has in place open and accountable tendering procedures for these services. Its new procedures have been quality assured by the sponsoring Department's internal auditors, and are in line with the policies of the Government Purchasing Agency.
	The Authority's contract with Navigator Blue was terminated in May this year.

Fire Dispute

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 2 December, ref 84475, if he will discuss the Fire Brigade dispute with Mrs. Rosemary Craig and Professor James Shields; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: No. Officials from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety have been maintaining close contact with the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about the dispute, and they will continue to do so.

Fishing

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of Northern Ireland's fishing fleet has been decommissioned under European Union regulations since 1990.

Ian Pearson: In March 1990 there were 450 fishing vessels in the Northern Ireland fleet, compared with 318 vessels in December 2002. Since 1990, 102 Northern Ireland fishing vessels have been decommissioned with assistance from European Structural Funds.

Fishing

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many commercial fishing vessels were registered in Northern Ireland in (a) 1997 and (b) 2002.

Ian Pearson: The number of commercial fishing vessels registered in Northern Ireland in January 1997 and December 2002 was 350 and 318 respectively.

Fishing

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed in the fishing industry in Northern Ireland.

Ian Pearson: The latest available data relate to 2001 and are as follows:
	
		
			  Full time Part time 
		
		
			 Catching 933 148 
			 Processing 989 208 
			 Others 57 30 
			 Total 1,979 386

Fishing

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the impact on the Northern Ireland fishing industry of the most recent proposals from the European Union to ban cod and prawn catches in the Irish Sea.

Ian Pearson: No such proposals have come from the European Union. I am making representations to make sure the concerns of the Northern Ireland fishing industry are fully heard and I shall give detailed consideration to the implications for the industry when the Commission advances its detailed proposals.

Fishing

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the representations made to Her Majesty's Government by fishermen in Northern Ireland concerning European Union proposals to ban cod and prawn catches in the Irish Sea.

Ian Pearson: I have met representatives of the catching sector who have briefed me in considerable detail on the responsible efforts that they have made in recent years to secure sustainable fisheries in the Irish Sea, and on the potential social and economic consequences of further cuts in fishing effort.

Home Expulsions

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate how many people have been forced from their homes by (a) Loyalist and (b) Republican paramilitary organisations (i) since the signing of the Belfast Agreement and (ii) during the year 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: From 1 April 1998 to 31 October 2002, 6,646 persons presented themselves to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive as being homeless due to intimidation. Information for the year 2002 cannot be supplied in the form requested but from 1 April 2002, 983 persons presented themselves to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive as being homeless due to intimidation.
	It is a deplorable situation where people have been forced from their homes and this has strengthened the Government's resolve to work with communities to find a resolution to this problem.

IFI/Richardsons Plant

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland about (a) the pension scheme, (b) redundancy payments and (c) outstanding holiday pay entitlements for employees of the IFI/Richardsons Plant in Belfast.

Ian Pearson: As well as meeting with Richardsons' management and Unions representing the work force, I have written to the company shareholders, including the Irish Government, expressing my concern over the treatment of the work force. I have met with ICI and a representative of the Irish Government. Furthermore I hope to meet Mary Harney TD Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment shortly.
	The issues relating to pensions are complex. There are four different pension schemes and the shareholders have asked the trustees of each scheme to establish the facts and options to mitigate the impact on members. The shareholders are proposing to meet with the four pension fund trustees and while the government's influence in relation to the operation of private pension schemes may be limited, I will await the outcome of this meeting with interest.
	In relation to redundancy payments, applications from 151 employees of Richardsons for statutory entitlement have been received by the Department for Employment and Learning. All claims will be handled and, where payable, payments processed within normal timescales.
	Outstanding holiday pay owed to employees forms part of the debt owed to them by their former employer and is a matter for the liquidator.

Marie Star Cafe

Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the PSNI Aliens Branch checked individually the passports for workers at the Marie Star Cafe.

Jane Kennedy: The PSNI do not individually check passports for the workers at the Movie Star Cafe. This is an immigration matter.

Official Travel

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total budget of (a) his Department and (b) its agencies is for official travel in 2002–03.

Jane Kennedy: The total budget for official travel in 2002–03 is:
	
		
			 Department Travel budget (#) 
		
		
			 NIO  
			 (a) Core Department (excluding Commissions as we do not have a breakdown of their budgets) 3,526,000 
			 (b) Agencies (excluding NDPBs) 1,313,000 
			 Total 4,839,000 
		
	
	The total travel budget for the Northern Ireland Departments in the financial year 2002–03 is (a) #9,501,038 and (b) for its agencies the budget is #8,492,862:
	
		
			 Department Travel budget (#) 
		
		
			 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister 628,000 
			 Department of Education 507,250 
			 Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment 467,916 
			 Department for Employment and Learning 1,686,000 
			 Department for Social Development 273,000 
			 Agencies 2,127,000 
			 Department for Regional Development 200,000 
			 Road Service 1,300,000 
			 Water Service 1,900,000 
			 Department of Culture Arts and Leisure 135,000 
			 OSNI 147,000 
			 PRONI 14,150 
			 Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety 559,872 
			 Agencies 160,615 
			 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development 3,820,000 
			 Agencies 940,000 
			 Department of Finance and Personnel 1,047,000 
			 Agencies 607,097 
			 Department of Environment 177,000 
			 Planning Service 443,000 
			 EHS 338,000 
			 DVLNI 102,000 
			 DVTA 414,000 
			 Departments 9,501,038 
			 Agencies 8,492,862 
			 Total 17,993,900

Organised Crime

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to receive a report from Professor Goldstock giving recommendations for tackling the problem of organised crime in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: The Secretary of State appointed Professor Goldstock in March 2002. He has been specifically asked to provide an international perspective on the problem of organised crime in Northern Ireland, to offer recommendations for tackling the problem and, in particular to formulate proposals for securing cross community support for action, drawing on his international experience.
	Prof. Goldstock has provided the Secretary of State with a report of his preliminary findings on 15 September. He is expected to report to the Secretary of State in June 2003.

Organised Crime

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what agreement has been made with Professor Goldstock as to the number of days he is (a) required and (b) expected to spend working in his capacity as an adviser to the Secretary of State on organised crime.

Jane Kennedy: The Secretary of State appointed Professor Goldstock, ex-director of the New York State Organised Crime Task Force, in March 2002 to act as his independent expert and to provide an international perspective on the problem of organised crime in Northern Ireland.
	Professor Goldstock has been specifically asked to provide an international perspective on the problem of organised crime in Northern Ireland, to offer recommendations for tackling the problem and, in particular, to formulate proposals for securing cross community support for action, drawing on his international experience.
	Professor Goldstock's appointment does not carry a stipulation on the amount of time he is expected or required to spend in his capacity as an adviser to the Secretary of State on organised crime. To date, Professor Goldstock has visited Northern Ireland on four occasions and has met with all the main stakeholders within the law enforcement agencies and Government. He has also met with representatives from the loyalist and nationalist communities.

Organised Crime

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings of the Organised Crime Task Force in Northern Ireland have taken place since its formation.

Jane Kennedy: The Organised Crime Task Force in Northern Ireland has met on 12 occasions since its formation in September 2000.

Organised Crime

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what priorities have been agreed by the law enforcement agencies in Northern Ireland as a result of the establishment of the organised crime task force.

Jane Kennedy: On 23 May 2002, the Secretary of State launched the second annual organised crime task force threat assessment and strategy. The OCTF threat assessment provides an overview of the scale and scope of organised crime in Northern Ireland and highlights trends and developments in the preceding year.
	Based on the issues highlighted in the new threat assessment, the OCTF's strategy for countering the threat sets priority areas for concerted multi-agency action by the OCTF partners. These are extortion, drugs, oils-related fraud, tobacco and alcohol duty evasion. To this list we have also added the trade in counterfeit goods, as this has an on-going potential to affect investment in Northern Ireland; and armed robbery which is on the increase here.
	During the year the OCTF, which I chair, will also keep a watching brief on emerging and new organised crime trends.

Organised Crime

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Police Officers are engaged full-time as investigators with the Organised Crime Taskforce.

Jane Kennedy: The Northern Ireland Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), is a Government-led multi-agency approach to tackling organised crime. The OCTF is established to provide strategic direction and generate close co-operation between the operational law enforcement agencies and other Government agencies backed up by a strong political will to succeed.
	The OCTF does not initiate operations. Operational response is a matter for the individual law enforcement agencies that take the lead in tackling the strategic priorities agreed annually by the OCTF. There are no Police Officers engaged full-time as investigators with The OCTF.
	The PSNI have established an Organised Crime Co-ordination Unit headed by a Detective Chief Superintendent to co-ordinate the work of the PSNI in combating organised crime.

Parade's Commission

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation made by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in their second report published in March 2001 in which they called for greater transparency in the procedures adopted by the Parades Commission.

Jane Kennedy: The commission is currently attempting to achieve greater transparency in the light of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) recommendation. Where the commission considers a parade in depth, it is prepared to make known, to those expressing interest, the substance of arguments and information presented to it, while continuing to adhere to its statutory rules on confidentiality.
	This aspect of the commission's work has, for some time, been the subject of an application for judicial review. While both the Government and the commission would be keen, circumstances permitting, to see greater transparency (amending the Procedural Rules if necessary), neither would wish to pre-empt a judicial ruling on the subject.
	Following the Weston Park talks, John Reid appointed Sir George Quigley to review the Parades Commission and the legislation under which it was established. Sir George's report, which addressed the issue of transparency, was issued for consultation on 7 November 2002.

Parade's Commission

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will set out the total costs incurred by Her Majesty's Government in respect of the Review of the Parade's Commission carried out by Sir George Quigley.

Jane Kennedy: The total costs incurred by the Northern Ireland Office in respect of the Review of the Parade's Commission are:
	
		
			  # 
		
		
			  
			 2001–02 38,572.43 
			 2002–03 (6)102,156.53 
		
	
	(6) At end of October 2002

Police

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what the basis is of the policy not to include members of the full-time police reserve in Northern Ireland in a pension scheme for service prior to 1988;
	(2)  if he will take steps to ensure that service by members of the full-time police reserve in Northern Ireland prior to 1988 is included as years of service for the police pension scheme;
	(3)  if he will grant full rights of access to the police pension scheme to all serving and former full-time police reserve officers in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: The decision to extend the police pension scheme to the full-time reserve was taken after detailed consideration and extensive consultation.
	The resultant policy led to the introduction of legislation in 1994, and this generously included recompense for prior denial to the police pension scheme, including six years free service credit for 1988–1994 and non-reclamation of SERFS
	benefits for that period.
	Treasury advocated backdating credit in full to all members of the full-time reserve both former and present for service rendered prior to the 6 April 1988, as this is the date from which Social Security legislation reduced the threshold for preservation of pensions on leaving employment from five years to two years
	These arrangements were unsuccessfully challenged by way of judicial review and petition to the House of Lords. Significantly, in the judicial review judgement from the Court of Appeal in 1997, the decision to backdate at all was considered very much an act of grace on the part of the Secretary of State. All aspects were given full and detailed consideration at that time, and there are no plans for a further review.

Police

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the full-time police reserve in Northern Ireland have been denied access to the police pension scheme because their service took place before 1988.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Police

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the successful candidates chosen after the recent competition for Chief Inspector posts in the Police Service of Northern Ireland have turned down two or more offers of postings.

Jane Kennedy: No successful candidates turned down two or more offers of postings.

Prison Officers (Protection)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prison officers in Northern Ireland have been warned that their personal details have come into the possession of the Provisional IRA.

Jane Kennedy: The Police Service of Northern Ireland have assessed that 1,426 staff have been identified as on the 'list'. At the time of writing, the majority of these staff have now received formal notification from the PSNI that their details have been compromised. The majority of those who have not yet received formal notification have been informed verbally. The notification process is ongoing.

Prison Officers (Protection)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are being introduced to protect those prison officers in Northern Ireland whose personal details have fallen into the hands of the Provisional IRA.

Jane Kennedy: I am satisfied that the schemes currently available to Prison Officers represent a proportionate and reasonable response to the situation. The schemes include the following:
	I. Key Persons Protection Scheme (KPPS)
	II. Assisted Home Removals Grant (AHR)
	III. Prison Service Protection Scheme (PSPS)
	IV. Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED)

Prison Service

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the Northern Ireland Prison Service staff that have applied to the SPED scheme, have (a) received their SPED certificates and (b) been granted a place on the SPED scheme.

Jane Kennedy: 102 Northern Ireland prison staff have applied through the NIHE to be admitted to the scheme to purchase evacuated dwelling (SPED). To date 69 have been accepted on to the scheme.

Real IRA (Ceasefire)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the Government of the Republic of Ireland about the Real IRA's ceasefire.

Jane Kennedy: Ministers and officials meet regularly with their counterparts in the Irish Government to discuss issues of mutual concern. While the Real IRA announced a complete cessation of all military activity from midnight, 7 September 1998, the Government continue to judge that organisation by its deeds, not its words.

Shooting Incidents

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by month since April the shooting incidents attributed to the Provisional IRA in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: It is not possible to provide the statistics in the format requested. The table provides details of the number of shooting incidents attributed to republican, loyalist and other groups.
	
		Number of shooting incidents by month-1 April to 15 November 2002(7)
		
			 Month By loyalists By republicans Other/ Not known 
		
		
			 April 12 5 3 
			 May 10 8 1 
			 June 23 18 3 
			 July 26 9 1 
			 August 24 12 1 
			 September 19 7 — 
			 October 22 1 3 
			 November(8) 10 1 1 
			 Total 146 61 13 
		
	
	(7) 2002 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.
	(8) To 15 November

Transsexual Rights

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action his Department is taking to implement previously continuing policy initiatives of the Northern Ireland Executive in response to the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Goodwin with regard to transsexual rights; and what time scales have been set for implementation.

Ian Pearson: The European Court of Human Rights, in the case of Goodwin v. UK, has found the UK in breach of Articles 8 and 12 of the European Convention. My officials are currently considering the implications of the judgment in the Northern Ireland context.

Trust Ports

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make available in the Vote Office the consultation document published on 12 October 2001 on the proposals to improve the public accountability of the Northern Ireland Trust Ports; if he will publish responses received prior to the House considering the draft Harbours (Northern Ireland) Order 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The consultation document and a summary of responses were made available to the Fourth Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation on 4 December 2002 to assist its deliberations on the draft Harbours (Northern Ireland) Order 2002. Copies were also made available in the Library and the Vote Office from the 4 December. The consultation document is also available on the Department's website.

Welfare Organisations (Grants)

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid in grants to welfare organisations representing (a) republican paramilitary groups and (b) loyalist paramilitary groups since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998.

Jane Kennedy: A total of #5.864 million has been paid to ex-prisoner groups by the various Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office. This includes Peace and Gap funding.
	In addition the Northern Ireland Prison Service has made payments of #44.5k to organisation or individuals assisting with the resettlement of prisoners under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.
	It is not possible to say which of these groups represent republican or loyalist organisations.

Written Questions

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of time taken by the Northern Ireland Office to answer written parliamentary questions has been since the General Election; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not held in the format required and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, my Department's Parliamentary Section are currently introducing a computerised Parliamentary Question tracking system which will in due course allow for the provision of such statistics.
	The Northern Ireland Office as with all other Government departments endeavour to answer all Parliamentary Questions promptly and accurately.

Written Questions

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the average time from 2001 for answering written questions to the Northern Ireland Office; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not held in the format required and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, my Department's Parliamentary Section is currently introducing a computed Parliamentary Question Tracking system which will in due course allow for the provision of such statistics.
	The Northern Ireland Office as with all other Government departments endeavours to answer all Parliamentary Questions promptly and accurately.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Departmental Budget

Christopher Chope: To ask the Solicitor General what the total budget of (a) the Attorney General's Department and (b) its agencies is for official travel in 2002–03.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 3 December 2002
	The official travel budget for the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers in 2002–03 is #100,000. For Treasury Solicitor's Department for the same period it is #20,000 and for HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate #121,000.
	The budget of the CPS for official travel in the year 2002–03 is #4,271,000 and that for the Serious Fraud Office #626,000.
	Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing #500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas.
	Details of travel undertaken during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002, was published on 24 July 2002, Official Report, columns 1374 75W.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AIDS

John Lyons: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government are doing to help those suffering from AIDS and HIV in the developing world.

Clare Short: My Department continues to make a significant contribution to combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In our bilateral programmes alone, expenditure on HIV/AIDS related work has increased from #38 million in 1997–98 to over #200 million in 2001–02. Major new investments include support for programmes in Nigeria, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Russia, and Ghana, China and India totalling over #350 million. We have also pledged US$200 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and #30 million to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and the Medical Research Council's Microbicides Development Programme. Considerable additional resources have also been committed to United Nations agencies and civil society organisations to help combat HIV/AIDS and to help people living with the disease across the developing world. We will continue to support health system strengthening and comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care, control and mitigation programmes. We are also supporting access to medicines, including for HIV/AIDS. The approach of the recently launched High Level Working Group on Access to Medicines Report is to facilitate widespread voluntary differential pricing of essential medicines for the poorer developing countries as the operational norm.

AIDS

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department has contributed to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative in each year since its inception.

Clare Short: The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is harnessing public and private resources to accelerate the development of safe, effective and accessible preventive AIDS vaccines that will be affordable to poor countries. The UK was the first Government to support IAVI, initially with #200,000, followed by a grant of #14 million over five years, which the Prime Minister announced at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November 1999.
	The annual breakdown of expenditure is as follows:
	
		
			  # 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1999–2000 625,000 
			 2000–01 875,000 
			 2001–02 1,500,000 
			 2002–03 2,250,000

CDC Offices

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the funds proposed to target (a) power and (b) SMEs under the reorganisation of CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: CDC has established a power company to raise capital for investment in poorer developing countries. Aureos, which is a joint venture with Norfund, has launched a Central America Fund and is raising capital for three regional African Funds for SMEs.

CDC Offices

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has received concerning the re-organisation of CDC Capital Partners; and from whom these representations were received.

Clare Short: No such representations have been received.

CDC Offices

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many CDC Capital Partners offices have opened in (a) South Asia, (b) South East Asia, (c) Africa, and (d) Latin America since 1997.

Clare Short: CDC has opened two offices in South East Asia, two offices in Africa, and three in Latin America since 1997.

CDC Offices

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has received concerning the impact on development of closing CDC offices in Africa; and from whom these representations were received.

Clare Short: No such representations have been received.

Chocolate Producers

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to encourage (a) chocolate producers and (b) supermarket chains in the United Kingdom to (i) transfer to fair trade products and (ii) source chocolate from Ghana.

Clare Short: DFID is supporting Kuapa Kokoo, a cocoa producers association, and the Day Chocolate Company. In 1999 DFID provided a loan guarantee agreement of #400,000 to Natwest Bank in respect of a loan made to Day Chocolate Company. The Day Chocolate Company has succeeded in encouraging a large number of supermarket chains in the UK (eg Co-op, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Tesco) to stock its products. Furthermore it has succeeded in securing contracts with supermarket chains, such as the Co-op and Sainsbury's, to produce their own brand Fairtrade chocolate products—the cocoa for which is sourced from Ghana.

Democratic Republic of Congo

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what reports she has received on the origin of the virulent flu outbreak in the Equateur Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo; how many people are estimated to be infected with it in the DRC; and what response she has made to the outbreak in the north western region of the DRC;
	(2)  what the suspected cause is of the outbreak of acute respiratory disease in Bosobolo in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: The Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response unit of the World Health Organisation has confirmed the reports of this outbreak at Bosobolo in Equatuer Province of Democratic Republic of Congo. We do not have any information on the origin of the epidemic. What is reported is that as of 22 November, there have been over 4,000 cases of acute respiratory illness, including approximately 500 deaths, since October. The clinical features of the illness include rhinorrhea, headache, arthralgia and respiratory insufficiency. Laboratory confirmation of the cause of this outbreak is pending.
	This is a difficult area to get to and communications are poor. Currently, Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF-France), Epicentre and WHO are supporting the Ministry of Health in investigating this outbreak and providing medical services.
	We have not provided any direct support to address this problem. However a large element of our humanitarian support to DRC is focused on health. We remain ready to respond if necessary.

Democratic Republic of Congo

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she is providing to help halt the spread of cholera in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Clare Short: On 20 October 2002, the Ministry of Health, Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 394 cases of cholera including 41 deaths in Kasai Oriental. Cholera is reported in Congo most years. This year DRC reports the third highest number of cases, and the highest death rate from the disease. The surveillance committee (Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF and Health Net International) which was established to control the outbreak has set up five cholera centres and is reinforcing surveillance and community health activities.
	Unfortunately it is not only cholera that is a problem in DRC. Almost all indicators demonstrate evidence of an appalling health situation. DFID does not directly support any cholera interventions. However a significant part of our humanitarian programme is aimed at improving general health. Specific projects deliver improved water and sanitation to poor urban communities. Other support provided through the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross is not earmarked and can also be used for such work.

Democratic Republic of Congo

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the outbreak of haemorrhagic fever in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Clare Short: On 26 November the Minister of Health of the Government of Democratic Republic of Congo reported that eight people had died from a haemorrhagic disease at three widely spread locations in Oriental Province, in the north east of the country. The outbreak has not yet been reported by the Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response Unit of the World Health Organisation.
	This area is blighted by continuing fighting between groups that have not signed the peace agreement that continues to hold between the main warring parties. Access to carry out the proper investigations is therefore very difficult. The Minister of Health has called on the belligerents to allow safe access for medical teams.

Economic Changes

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes there have been in (a) productivity, (b) income, (c) employment and (d) economic growth in (i) South Asia, (ii) South East Asia, (iii) Africa and (iv) Latin America since the 2000 White Paper 'Making Globalisation Work for the Poor.'

Clare Short: The 2000 White Paper on Globalisation gave data up to 1998. Since then information for income for 1999 and for economic growth for 2000 has become available. This is presented in the following tables for the standard regions published by the World Bank.
	
		Percentage of the population with incomes of less than $1/day
		
			  1990 1998(9) 1999 
		
		
			 East Asia and Pacific 28 15 14 
			 Latin America and the Caribbean 17 12 15 
			 South Asia 44 40 37 
			 Sub-Saharan Africa 48 48 47 
		
	
	(9) Revised
	
		Gross domestic product per person (annual percent growth)
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 
		
		
			 East Asia and Pacific 6 6 
			 Latin America and the Caribbean -1 2 
			 South Asia 4 2 
			 Sub-Saharan Africa 0 1 
		
	
	Statistics on productivity and employment are collated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The information available is patchy and refers primarily to productivity and employment in the formal sector. Coverage of the informal sector is partial and as a result the ILO data will not necessarily present a complete picture for many developing countries. DFID does not currently have access to this data.

Education Fast Track

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answers of 18 November 2002, Official Report, columns 15–16W, on the education Fast Track Initiative, when she expects (a) India, (b) Pakistan, (c) Bangladesh, (d) DRC and (e) Nigeria to join the Fast Track Initiative.

Clare Short: The UK has prepared technical notes detailing the analytical work which will need to be done in each of these countries to prepare them for support from the so called Fast Track Initiative. We have proposed to the World bank that these should be discussed at a meeting of FTI partners dedicated to these five countries, with the aim of gaining agreement on the way ahead and support for the process from other agencies.

Education Fast Track

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to her answers of 18 November 2002, Official Report, columns 15–16W, on the education fast track initiative, what money has been allocated for (a) Burkina Faso, (b) Guinea, (c) Mauritania and (d) Niger following the decision of the World Bank to support the fast track education initiative within these countries.

Clare Short: The international community has agreed that FTI proposals should be reviewed rigorously by local donor groups, to ensure that they are coherent with each country's existing plans (including Poverty Reduction Strategies and Medium Term Economic Frameworks or their equivalent) and to confirm that countries have the capacity to absorb any additional finance. Specific sums will be allocated by development agencies only when this process is complete.

Education Fast Track

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answers of 18 November 2002, Official Report, column 15–16W, on the education Fast Track Initiative, what finance will be provided for teacher salaries in countries included in the Fast Track Initiative; what emphasis will be placed on HIV/AIDS education; how many new school buildings will be built, in each country; and whether she estimates that adequate supplies of teachers exist.

Clare Short: The Fast Track Initiative is intended to be tailored to the needs of individual countries. These issues will therefore be addressed to varying degrees in the proposals which countries are now putting forward. Local donor groups will review the proposals, including an assessment of capacity issues. Until all the proposals have been endorsed, it is impossible to say how much finance will be dedicated to teacher salaries, how many school buildings will be constructed, or what the total teacher requirement will be.

Eritrea

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to her answer of 26 November 2002, Official Report, columns 201–02W, on Eritrea, what meetings have been fixed with the Government of Eritrea to discuss bilateral support for its poverty reduction strategy.

Clare Short: No meetings have yet been arranged with the Eritrean Government. DFID officials are planning a visit to Eritrea early in the new year.

Ethiopia

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact which Ethiopia's debt service payments are having on the ability of the Ethiopian Government to combat poverty.

Clare Short: Ethiopia qualified for interim debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) at Decision Point (DP) in November 2001. Irrevocable relief will be provided at HIPC Completion Point, which is expected within the next two years. Savings resulting from HIPC assistance will amount to around US$ 96 million per year on average until 2021. These resources will be freed up for the Ethiopian Government to use for poverty reduction. Poverty-targeted public expenditure increased by over 1 per cent. of GDP in the current year as a result of HIPC relief.
	Ethiopia owes the #UK 15.4 million. Provided Ethiopia remains on track with its programme of economic reform, we would not expect Ethiopia to make any further payments on its debt to the UK after DP.

Malawi

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on how the focus on health and sustainable livelihoods in the bilateral donor programme in Malawi relates to her integrated approach to water supply, sanitation and hygiene designed to improve health and combat poverty.

Clare Short: Our substantial health and sustainable livelihoods programmes in Malawi do not directly focus on water supply, sanitation and hygiene as other bilateral and multilateral donor partners are leading in these areas.

Malawi

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what evidence has been collated by her Department regarding manipulation of food distribution by the Malawian Government for political gain.

Clare Short: Distribution of humanitarian food supplies provided to Malawi under the emergency operation led by the World Food Programme, is being handled efficiently by an NGO consortium. We are working with other donors and NGOs to monitor the distribution processes and sales of subsidised commercial maize imported by the Government. To date we have no evidence of political interference.

Manufactured Goods (Tariffs)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on US proposals globally to abolish tariffs on manufactured goods; and what the level of US tariffs is for EU goods.

Patricia Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.
	We welcome the US proposal to reduce non-agricultural tariffs as an imaginative contribution to the Doha development round and will press for a positive EU response. It will be important to ensure that the Doha round contributes significantly to the position of developing countries in the world trading system. Current US tariff rates are available from the US International Trade Commission website at www.usitc.gov/taffairs.htm

Pakistan

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent initiatives she has taken to help fund and encourage the education of girls in Pakistan.

Clare Short: DFID is working closely with the Government of Pakistan and other donors to improve school quality and increase opportunities for girls to go to school. At the national level, DFID is supporting improvements to information systems so as to better monitor and evaluate girls' education. In the North West Frontier Province and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, DFID is supporting the development of community schools, which have been shown to be more effective in attracting girls to school. With DFID support, girls' enrolment in the Northern Areas has increased by 73 per cent. since 1997–98. Despite some progress overall, the challenges facing Pakistan remain great.

River Congo (Flooding)

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the potential danger arising from flooding of the River Congo during the coming rainy season.

Clare Short: December is the month when the level of the river is usually at its highest level. On 27 November the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo warned that the level of the Congo river this year is rising at a rate, and to an extent, that suggests flooding is possible. In 1999, the last time the Congo river flooded at Kinshasa, as many as 80,000 people were displaced.

Rwandan Refugees

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made in the repatriation of Rwandan refugees in Tanzania.

Clare Short: There is progress with repatriation of Rwandan refugees in Tanzania who volunteer. UNHCR provides assistance to those who register. It is estimated that over 4,500 returned to Rwanda in 2001 and there will be similar number this year. This has exceeded the number of arrivals.

Tanzania

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she is giving to ensure adequate training of police officers in human rights issues in Tanzania; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: DFID provides budgetary support to the Government of Tanzania's Poverty Reduction Strategy which this year increased budgetary resources to the police, prisons and the judiciary. UNDP is the lead agency in the field of Human Rights and is working directly with the Government of Tanzania to improve standards across a range of institutions, including the police service.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

VAT

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many VAT registrations per 10,000 resident population there were in each local authority in England and Wales in (a) 2002, (b) 1997, (c) 1992 and (d) 1987.

Nigel Griffiths: VAT registrations before 1994 were on a different set of administrative boundaries. The latest VAT registration data available is for 2001. I have placed details of the VAT Registration rate per 10,000 Resident adults (16+) in the Libraries of the House.

Analogue Switch-off (Rural Areas)

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of analogue switch-off on remote rural areas.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting on 4 December 2002, Official Report, columns 535–36.

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum Pipelines

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the UK companies involved in the consortium applying for an Export Credit Guarantee for the (a) Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the (b) Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is as follows:
	(a) The sponsors of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Company are seeking ECGD support for the supply of UK goods and services and for UK investments related to the project. BP plc is the only UK company in the sponsor group.
	(b) ECGD has not received an application from any UK company for an Export Credit Guarantee for the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline.

Broadband

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evaluation she has made of the initiative between British Telecom and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to extend broadband coverage; and how she intends promoting similar initiatives to other remote and rural areas within the UK.

Stephen Timms: Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are involved in the Exchange Activate trial being run by BT across the UK, including at two exchanges near Inverness. This is due to run until next spring, so no evaluation has been carried out as yet. If the initiative is successful, HIE will be keen to see this approach applied more widely in the area.
	A wider range of initiatives is also underway in the Highlands and Islands to increase broadband access. These include a pilot of aggregated public sector procurement and projects under the UK Broadband Fund, such as a major wireless trial in the Western Isles, a powerline carrier trial in Campbeltown, and a demand stimulation scheme based on road shows and demonstration centres.
	The UK Broadband Task Force, established in November, will find and disseminate exemplars of best practice around the country, including to rural and remote areas and by so doing stimulate the further roll out of broadband.

Broadband

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 26 November 2002, Official Report, column 228W, on priority areas how many (a) hospitals, (b) GP surgeries, (c) schools, (d) police stations, (e) local authority agencies and (f) other public sector places will SEEDA be upgrading to broadband in the Sittingbourne and Sheppey constituency; and how much of the SEEDA Broadband fund (i) has been and (ii) will be spent in Sittingbourne and Sheppey.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 3 December 2002
	SEEDA does not maintain data at this level. SEEDA's broadband fund has been allocated to projects that provide benefits to the region and there is no detailed breakdown of the amount of funding that has been spent specifically in Sittingbourne and Sheppey.

Broadband

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance her Department has made available to UK businesses to enable them to access broadband via satellite technology.

Stephen Timms: The Department of Trade and Industry has made available #30 million to the RDAs and Devolved Administrations for pilot projects to extend broadband access. Several of the recipients have used this fund to enable small businesses to access broadband via satellite technology. For example, the South West Development Agency, East Midlands, Development Agency, East of England Development Agency and Advantage West Midlands are collaborating in the Remote Area Broadband Inclusion Trials (RABIT) programme to trial alternative broadband Internet access to small businesses in rural areas using wireless and satellite. The scheme has been operating since September 2002. Some #700 is made available to each company. By the beginning of December, 264 applications had been approved, of which 75 per cent. to 80 per cent. involve satellite trials. About 1,800 to 2,000 companies are expected to participate in the programme to December 2003.

Chemicals Innovation and Growth Team Reports

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Chemicals Innovation and Growth Team will produce its reports.

Alan Johnson: The Report will be available on 11 December, and I will place copies in the Libraries of the House.

Combined Heat and Power

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with interested parties about the contribution of CHP to Britain's future energy needs.

Brian Wilson: I have had several meetings with interested parties from the CHP industry over the last year, where a range of issues affecting CHP were discussed.

Commonwealth Countries (Trade)

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the volume of trade between the UK and each Commonwealth country was in the last year for which figures are available; and what estimate she has made of UK investment in Commonwealth countries.

Nigel Griffiths: Statistics on UK trade in goods are published by HM Customs and Excise while those on UK investment overseas are compiled by the Office for National Statistics. The latest available information is as follows:
	
		# million 
		
			  UK exports: Goods UK imports: Goods UK outward FDI stock 
			 Country 2001 2001 End 2000 
		
		
			 Anguilla 1.2 0.1 n/a 
			 Antigua Barbuda 17.3 3.4 (10)— 
			 Australia 2,321.9 1,837.9 10,004 
			 Australian Oceania 0.4 0.7 0 
			 Of which:
			 Christmas Islands 0.0 0.6 (11)— 
			 Cocos Islands 0.3 0.1 (11)— 
			 Heard and McDonald 0.0 0.0 (11)— 
			 Norfolk Island 0.0 0.0 (11)— 
			 
			 Bahamas 15.2 7.1 223 
			 Bangladesh 68.0 455.2 158 
			 Barbados 55.7 40.2 112 
			 Belize 13.8 34.9 (10)— 
			 Bermuda 34.0 45.3 6,071 
			 Botswana 24.2 1,076.9 88 
			 British Indian Ocean Territories 0.5 0.0 (10)— 
			 British Virgin Islands 7.3 6.8 64 
			 Brunei 59.6 34.1 (10)— 
			 Canada 3,250.3 3,786.3 8,430 
			 Cayman Islands 9.7 3.1 443 
			 Cook Islands 0.1 0.0 n/a 
			 Cyprus 291.5 250.1 40 
			 Dominica 10.1 12.0 0 
			 Falkland Islands 19.8 6.9 (10)— 
			 Gambia 18.5 7.7 (10)— 
			 Ghana 144.4 134.0 102 
			 Gibraltar 127.6 14.3 237 
			 Grenada 7.0 0.8 (10)— 
			 Guyana 22.7 60.6 34 
			 India 1,780.7 1,884.1 1,246 
			 Jamaica 70.7 117.9 598 
			 Kenya 172.5 211.8 430 
			 Kiribati 0.1 0.1 0 
			 Lesotho 1.9 1.9 (10)— 
			 Malawi 8.2 15.0 25 
			 Malaysia 1,033.3 2,012.2 1,741 
			 Maldives 5.0 6.4 (10)— 
			 Malta 217.4 148.0 81 
			 Mauritius 52.3 337.8 234 
			 Montserrat 1.1 0.0 n/a 
			 Namibia 12.7 316.5 (10)— 
			 Nauru 0.8 0.0 0 
			 New Zealand 311.5 560.5 1.919 
			 Niue and Tokelau 10.3 2.2 (10)— 
			 Of which:
			 Niue Island 0.3 0.0 (11)— 
			 Tokelau Islands 10.0 2.2 (11)— 
			 
			 Nigeria 683.6 68.2 804 
			 Pakistan 229.6 437.9 513 
			 Papua New Guinea 4.3 41.4 (10)— 
			 Pitcairn 0.9 0.0 0 
			 Samoa 4.8 0.0 0 
			 Seychelles 13.4 47.9 (10)— 
			 Sierra Leone 61.9 3.0 (10)— 
			 Singapore 1,603.5 2,146.4 6,300 
			 Solomon Islands 0.3 0.5 (10)— 
			 South Africa 1,547.4 2,953.3 3,051 
			 Sri Lanka 142.4 400.8 108 
			 St. Helena 9.7 0.4 (10)— 
			 St. Kitts and Nevis 7.5 7.1 (10)— 
			 St. Lucia 17.0 16.5 (10)— 
			 St. Vincent 9.2 13.7 (10)— 
			 Swaziland 4.3 33.6 (10)— 
			 Tanzania 66.0 35.2 39 
			 Tonga 1.3 0.3 (10)— 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 91.6 53.9 -102 
			 Turks and Caicos 0.8 0.2 (10)— 
			 Tuvalu 0.1 0.2 0 
			 Uganda 34.8 8.5 35 
			 Vanuatu 0.5 0.1 1— 
			 Zambia 23.9 11.7 45 
			 Zimbabwe 36.2 91.4 130 
			 The Commonwealth 14,794.0 19,805.2 n/a 
		
	
	(10) Disclosive
	(11) Not separately available
	Note:
	n/a = Not available
	Sources:
	HM Customs and Excise
	Office for National Statistics

Commonwealth Countries (Trade)

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she has taken to encourage trade between Commonwealth countries.

Patricia Hewitt: The Government have acted on specific commitments in the Edinburgh Commonwealth Economic Declaration of 1997 by vigorously supporting: the EU's stance on multilateral liberalisation, notably through the launch of the WTO Round at Doha; the full opening of the EU's market to the least developed countries, 14 of whom are in the Commonwealth; the launch and work programme of the Commonwealth Business Council, whose task is to promote Commonwealth trade and investment. DTI Ministers have also encouraged effective Commonwealth networking on trade through informal discussions with their counterparts and in an ongoing series of seminars with High Commissions in London. Trade Partners UK is responsible for helping UK companies export and invest overseas, including to our Commonwealth partners.

Construction Industry

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she has taken to encourage a healthy and efficient construction and building industry in the last 12 months.

Brian Wilson: I attach considerable importance to the health and efficiency of the UK construction industry. Construction represents 8 per cent. of GDP and employs almost two million people. Construction is central to the delivery and maintenance of the national infrastructure and therefore to all our public service, including health care, transportation, housing and education. The Government's Rethinking Construction initiative aims to work with the industry improve its productivity and competitiveness by addressing issues such as the efficiency of processes and the quality of the end product.

Departmental Grants

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the grants funded by her Department for which individual members of the public and organisations may apply; and if she will make a statement as to (a) the total of such funding in the last financial year, (b) the total number of awards and (c) their administrative costs.

Patricia Hewitt: (a) Information on the Department's grant-making schemes together with funding for 2001–02 is available in Annex Bl and in the text of my 2002 Expenditure Plans Report (Cm 5416), a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House.
	(b) Information on numbers of awards is not held centrally by the Department and to provide it would entail disproportionate cost.
	(c) It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of related administrative costs as a large number of different units within the Department are involved with a wide range of staff making a contribution.

India First

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial support her Department gives to the organisation India First.

Nigel Griffiths: None.

Manufacturing Summit

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to hold a manufacturing summit (a) in the UK and (b) elsewhere.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 28 November 2002
	We have no current plans to hold a manufacturing summit in the UK or elsewhere.
	We meet industrial partners frequently to share views on the key manufacturing issues, and to focus on the practical steps of taking forward the Government's Manufacturing Strategy. For example, my colleague the Minister for Small Business met Chairs of the Regional Development Agencies, together with Digby Jones of the CBI, Brendan Barber of the TUC, and Martin Temple of the EEF on 3 December to discuss the publication of the Regional Development Agencies' reports on manufacturing which set out specific achievements to date and key strategic initiatives for the delivery of the Manufacturing Strategy at the regional level.

Post Offices

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices in Lancashire are open for less than full-time hours; and what the corresponding figure was for 1997.

Stephen Timms: These are matters that fall within the day to day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Offices (Wycombe)

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices in the Wycombe constituency are open for less than full-time hours; and how many there were in 1997.

Stephen Timms: These are matters that fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Process Centre for Manufacturing Excellence

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding the Government has provided to the Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence; which organisations have (a) been involved with the Centre and (b) benefited from the Centre; and if she will make a statement on the effectiveness and financial benefits of the Centre.

Alan Johnson: The Government are providing funding support of #1.525 million over the period 2000–01 to 2003–04 to the Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence (PICME) to help UK chemical and other process-based companies improve their productivity and manufacturing performance. Since becoming operational in March 2001, PICME has delivered 60 benchmarking analyses and 25 Masterclass workshops to companies in these sectors. To date, this activity has resulted in substantial direct savings being achieved by each of these companies, collectively totalling over #14 million per year.

Quoted Companies Alliance Report

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she proposes to take in response to the report of the Quoted Companies Alliance, The Threat to Enterprise Britain.

Nigel Griffiths: The Department is committed to helping UK companies, including the important Smaller Quoted Companies sector, improve their productivity and increase value added. We have strong links with the Quoted Companies Alliance who have played a key role in identifying the challenges facing Smaller Quoted Companies. I welcome this report and I look forward to working with them in the future to ensure that companies within this important sector reach their full growth potential.

Renewable Energy

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much financial support has been given to (a) wind power, (b) solar power, (c) wave power, (d) geothermal power, (e) hydro power and (f) other renewable energy sources in each year since 1972.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 20 November 2002
	The available information is shown in the table from 1978 onwards. Regrettably, information for 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975 is not available and the figures for 1976 and 1977 were not broken down into these subject areas.
	
		# million 
		
			  Wind Solar Wave and tidal Geo Hydro Other Total 
		
		
			 1975–76 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 1976–77 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.30 
			 1977–78 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 1.00 
			 1978–79 0.30 0.20 1.80 0.20 0.00 0.00 2.50 
			 1979–80 0.60 1.20 3.60 1.30 0.00 0.10 6.80 
			 1980–81 0.80 0.90 4.70 2.30 0.00 0.22 8.92 
			 1981–82 0.90 0.71 4.80 8.20 0.00 0.43 15.04 
			 1982–83 2.50 1.40 3.13 4.50 0.00 0.53 12.06 
			 1983–84 2.50 0.90 1.00 4.70 0.00 0.27 9.37 
			 1984–85 4.80 0.50 0.70 5.70 0.00 0.20 11.90 
			 1985–86 5.40 0.70 0.50 3.80 0.00 0.29 10.69 
			 1986–87 3.70 0.90 0.20 3.60 0.10 0.91 9.41 
			 1987–88 4.00 1.10 1.60 3.60 0.18 2.00 12.48 
			 1988–89 3.90 1.40 1.30 3.60 0.10 2.20 12.50 
			 1989–90 4.80 1.90 1.20 3.50 0.10 2.66 14.16 
			 1990–91 4.50 2.10 2.30 2.60 0.03 3.70 15.23 
			 1991–92 6.67 2.35 2.40 1.62 0.12 4.79 17.95 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Definition of each technology stream has varied over time.
	2. Spend prior to 1978–79 was not recorded by programme area.
	
		Renewable energy programme external expenditure (ie excluding ETSU/FES services) from 1972 -- # million
		
			  1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			  
			 Wind 8.69 7.31 2.73 3.37 2.37 1.24 0.95 1.20 1.10 2.20 
			 Solar 2.30 2.38 2.07 1.88 1.87 1.66 0.98 1.73 1.40 2.70 
			 Wave and tidal 2.06 0.78 0.33 0.20 0.05 0.00 0.09 0.01 0.40 0.30 
			 Geo 1.22 1.13 0.24 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 
			 Hydro 0.07 0.17 0.15 0.08 0.14 0.06 0.08 0.30 0.00 0.00 
			 Other 4.37 6.11 6.54 6.72 4.90 3.85 3.75 4.62 6.80 8.40 
			 Total 18.71 17.88 12.06 12.25 9.33 6.81 5.85 7.86 9.7 13.6 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Definition of each technology stream has varied over time.
	2. Spend prior to 1978–79 was not recorded by programme area.

Renewable Energy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the funding made available to support renewable technologies in March 2001 has been allocated to (a) existing and (b) new onshore wind programmes.

Brian Wilson: For several years funding of research and development into wind technology has concentrated on off shore wind developments as onshore wind is considered to be close to becoming commercially competitive.
	There have been five projects commissioned since March 2001, with a total value of #356,898, that could be considered as onshore related. These have looked primarily at the impact of onshore wind farms on Radar and Aviation interests.

Renewable Energy

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of the most recent development plans of local authorities in England and Wales make specific mention of renewable energy plans; and how many of these include technology-specific policies.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 3 December 2002
	That information is not held centrally.
	Planning is a devolved matter. In England, local planning authorities are required, in formulating the policies in their development plans, to have regard to any regional and strategic planning guidance and to current national policies. Development Plans should therefore take account of Planning Policy Guidance Note 22, Renewable Energy, and formulate policies on renewable energy which are relevant to the local planning authority's area.
	In Wales, local planning authorities submit Unitary Development Plans for scrutiny by the Assembly to ensure regard is paid to national planning policy outlined in Planning Policy Wales and Technical Advice Note 8, Renewable Energy.

Renewable Energy

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets she has to increase the use of renewable energy supplies; and how she intends to achieve the targets.

Brian Wilson: The Government have set a target that 10 per cent. of electricity will be generated from eligible renewable sources by 2010.
	The Renewables Obligation Order, which came into force on 1 April 2002, is the primary instrument for the expansion of renewable energy in the UK. Licensed electricity suppliers are required to obtain specified proportions of their electricity from eligible renewable sources. The level of the Obligation will rise each year to reach 10.4 per cent. by 2010–11.
	The Renewables Obligation is being backed by over #250 million of direct support measures to bring forward newer renewable energy technologies. This provides a substantial incentive to renewable energy generation in the UK.
	Qualifying renewable energy sources are also exempt from the Climate Change Levy to further assist the expansion of renewable energy.

Royal Mail

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had regarding the appointment of the new Chief Executive of Royal Mail.

Stephen Timms: Although the recruitment of a new Chief Executive for Royal Mail is primarily a matter for the company the appointment will be made in accordance with public appointment procedures and requires the Secretary of State's consent. The Secretary of State has been kept informed of the recruitment process and in due course will be invited to consider a recommendation for appointment.

Rural Post Office Network

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to improve security arrangements at rural post offices; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Security arrangements at all post offices are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Small Firm Loan Scheme

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of firms in (a) Roxburgh and Berwickshire, and (b) the Scottish Borders that are eligible for the small firm loan scheme (i) now and (ii) following widening of the scheme's eligibility.

Nigel Griffiths: Eligibility for the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme is based on the business having a viable business proposal but lacking the collateral to obtain conventional finance. It is not possible, therefore, to estimate the number of businesses eligible now and following the recently announced changes on the basis requested.
	Detailed information is available at county level. During Financial Year 2001–02 the scheme guaranteed 16 loans for businesses in the Scottish Borders at a value of #710,000. It is estimated that overall the changes will result in a 25 per cent. increase in the number of applications received.

Solar PV Projects

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many bids for funding solar PV projects were received in the first two rounds of stream 2 of her Department's solar PV Major Demonstration Programme; how many were successful; what was the total value of (a) bids received and (b) projects approved; and what the total size, measured by kWp, was of bids received.

Brian Wilson: In the first two rounds of stream 2 of my Department's solar PV Major Demonstration Programme, 59 bids were received. Of these 27 were successful.
	The total value of grants requested was just under #9 million and the total value of projects approved was just over #3.5 million.
	The total size of bids received, for both rounds was just over 2100kWp.

Thompsons Solicitors

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been paid to Thompsons Solicitors with regard to the processing of respiratory disease claims.

Brian Wilson: As of 30 November 2002, a total of #18.6 million (inclusive of VAT and disbursements) had been paid to Thompson's Solicitors in costs with regards to the processing of respiratory disease claims.
	I would like to take this opportunity to correct erroneous information inadvertently relayed in reply to PQ No. 60802 tabled by my hon. Friend on 1 June 2002. My hon. Friend asked for a separate breakdown for the legal costs paid to the top 100 companies handling respiratory disease and Vibration White Finger claims. The figure given for Thompson's solicitors was #19.2 million. The correct figure should have been #12.4 million. I have written to my hon. Friend about this.

Wind Generators

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many wind generators are working in the United Kingdom; and how many are planned to be built in the next five years.

Brian Wilson: There are at present, 75 wind power schemes working in the UK, comprising of 974 turbines. (British Wind Energy Association information).
	It is for developers to bring forward proposals for wind farms. The Government does not keep a register of such proposals, most of which are assessed by local authorities under the normal planning process. Only applications for consent to construct and operate wind farms with a capacity greater than 50 megawatts on-shore, and greater than one megawatt off-shore, are required to be referred to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.
	For onshore wind farm development, my Department is considering one application in England and Wales and the Scottish Executive are considering seven applications in Scotland.
	Out of 20 potential offshore sites offered by the Crown Estate in April 2001, the DTI and Scottish Executive are currently considering proposals in respect of 11 sites and a further two have now been granted construction consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departmental Initiatives

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the schemes and initiatives sponsored by her Department and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out showing (a) the authorities or areas covered by the scheme and (b) the budget of the scheme in the last year for which information is available.

Kim Howells: The following schemes and initiatives are sponsored by my Department in partnership with other funding bodies.
	Space for Sports and Arts Programme (SSA)
	Space for Sports and Arts Programme (SSA) is a partnership between traditional public expenditure of #75 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund and #55 million from the three lottery distributors: New Opportunities Fund (#25 million), Sport England (#25 million) and Arts Council of England (#5 million).
	The SSA programme is being rolled out in 65 local authorities in deprived areas. The budget for the programme is #130 million from the beginning of 2000 to March 2004, which is the life of the programme. Approximately 297 projects are planned in the 65 local authorities. The Local Education Authorities (LEAs) invited to bid were:
	Barking and Dagenham, Barnsley, Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford, Brent, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, City of Nottingham, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derby City, Derbyshire, Doncaster, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gateshead, Greenwich, Hackney, Hartlepool, Islington, Kent, Kingston-upon-Hull, Knowsley, Lambeth, Lancashire, Leeds, Leicester City, Lewisham, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newham, Norfolk, North Somerset, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Redcar and Cleveland, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sheffield, Slough, Somerset, South Tyneside, Southwark, St. Helens, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Tower Hamlets, Trafford, Walsall, Wirral, Wolverhampton.
	Portable Antiquities Scheme
	The Portable Antiquities Scheme was established in 1997 to encourage members of the public to report all finds of archaeological objects. Since autumn 1997 DCMS has been funding six pilot schemes to promote voluntary reporting of all archaeological finds. These pilots were established in Kent, Norfolk, North Lincolnshire, North West (Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cumbria), West Midlands and Yorks. A further six pilots have been funded for three years by Heritage lottery fund since spring 1999. These pilots were established in Dorset & Somerset, Hampshire, Northamptonshire, Suffolk, Wales, and in London.
	A bid for a three-year funding for a national network of 41 posts at a cost of #1.5 million a year from April 2003 was approved by the Heritage lottery fund in May. This bid has 63 national and local partners, each of whom is contributing 10 per cent. towards the cost. In 2002–03 the Department is providing #411,000 to support the current pilot schemes until the new funding comes on line. The following schemes and initiatives are by public bodies sponsored by DCMS. These are not the subject of national roll out.
	Splash Extra
	This was a joint DCMS/Youth Justice Board programme of summer activities targeted on those 9–17 year olds identified as most at risk of offending in the areas covered across Government. A list of those areas has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Resourced by the New Opportunities Fund and providing almost 300 estate-based schemes across England, Splash Extra established a menu of high quality sports, arts and personal development activities.
	The budget was #8.5 million for the last financial year.
	Creative Partnerships
	This initiative is to develop long-term partnerships between schools, cultural and creative organisations and artists. The partnerships will help children develop their own creativity, which should bring benefits in terms of educational attainment. The partnerships are being developed in 16 areas (listed below) across the country.
	The Arts Council of England is delivering the initiative and the budget for 2002–03 is #15 million.
	List of Creative Partnerships areas
	1. Manchester/Salford
	2. Merseyside (Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens, Wirral, Sefton)
	3. Tees Valley (Redcar & Cleveland, Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton)
	4. Durham/Sunderland
	5. Kingston upon Hull
	6. South Yorkshire Coalfields (Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster)
	7. Birmingham
	8. Black Country (Sandwell, Wolverhampton, Walsall)
	9. Nottingham
	10. Norfolk
	11. Bristol
	12. Cornwall
	13. Slough
	14. Kent
	15. Inner London East (Hackney, Islington, Newham, Tower Hamlets)
	16. Inner London South (Southwark, Lewisham, Lambeth, Greenwich).
	Sport England
	Sportsearch is being piloted in three local authorities (Southampton City Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council and the London Borough of Lambeth). The budget for the pilot is #200,000 in 2002/03 and 31 schools in the three authorities are involved.
	Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI), Sport England have made a one-off grant of #1 million to the English Federation of Disability Sport to develop and deliver the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) scheme. There are currently 27 IFI sites around the country (eventually there will be 30). They are in Leeds city council, Oxford city council, Bolton MBC, LB Lewisham, Kerrier DC, Bury MBC, Cannock Chase DC, Plymouth city council, Coventry city council, Kirklees MBC, Bromsgrove DC, Dacorum BC, Borough of Pool, Slough MBC, Mansfield DC, Ipswich BC, Amber Valley BC, North Tyneside council, Leicester city council, Berwick upon Tweed, Spelthorne BC, Chichester council, Copeland BC and South Gloucestershire council. There are no current plans to roll out these initiatives nationally.
	Grants to Grade II Buildings at Risk in London
	Under the Local Government Act 1985, English Heritage is able to offer grants for the repairs of Grade II listed buildings within the Greater London area. The scheme is concentrated on those buildings included on the English Heritage Register of Buildings at Risk, and projects which make a strategic contribution to the conservation of historic buildings, areas, gardens, landscapes or archaeology within Greater London. In 2001/02 English Heritage offered a total of #175,000 under the scheme. Access Radio
	The Radio Authority is currently running a pilot study of 15 access radio projects across the UK. These are in Glasgow, Belfast, Banbridge, Bradford, Manchester, Stoke on Trent, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, Forest of Dean, Pontypridd, Havant, Southall (London), Hackney (London), South Bank (London). The projects will be subject to an independent evaluation which will assist the Government in deciding whether to introduce access radio on a national basis. The full extent of coverage will depend on a number of factors such as local spectrum availability and the local radio ecology. None of these pilots have received funding from either the Department or the Radio Authority.
	This information is accurate as of 7 November 2002.

Licensing Bill

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether a condition laid down in an existing planning consent would be superseded automatically by a permission given under the licensing regime proposed in the Licensing Bill before the House of Lords.

Kim Howells: No. The planning and licensing regimes are entirely separate and one cannot supersede the other.

Official Travel

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total expenditure of (a) her Department and (b) its agencies was on official travelling in 2001–02.

Kim Howells: holding answer 3 December 2002
	DCMS expenditure for travelling and subsistence for 2001–2002 was #752,860. In addition, expenditure by the Royal Parks Agency was #26,015.
	Since 1999, the Government has published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing #500 or more during each financial year. The Government has also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Details of travel undertaken during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 were published on 24 July 2002 (Official Report, columns 1374–1375W). The cost of Ministers' visits overseas for 2002–03 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of both Houses.
	All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Wembley Stadium

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the Government's policy is on (a) giving, (b) loaning and (c) underwriting funding for Wembley Stadium additional to that set out in the final report of the English National Stadium Review.

Richard Caborn: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear in response to a question from her right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Kaufman), following her statement on the National Stadium on 23 May, Official Report, column 406, there will be no further public money invested in the National Stadium project beyond that already announced; #120 million from the Sports Lottery Fund, #21 million from the London Development Agency and #20 million from this Department for non-stadium infrastructure. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport also set out in reply to a question from his hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner) on 19 March, Official Report, column 238W, that a further #7 million from his transport provision would be earmarked towards improvements to Wembley Park tube station which would be matched by a similar sum from the Mayor of London for the same purpose.

TREASURY

Alcohol Sales

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the projected volume of (a) sales and (b) tax revenue is from high strength lagers for the 12 months since the 2002 Budget.

John Healey: The information requested is not available. HM Customs and Excise do not project the volume of sales or revenue from any particular category of beer.

Alcohol Sales

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the volume of (a) sales and (b) tax revenue was from high strength lagers in each year from 1988 to 2001.

John Healey: The information requested is not available. HM Customs and Excise does not record volumes or tax revenue for any particular category of beer. Figures are only available for the total of beer and cider. These are available in the HM Customs and Excise Beer and Cider Factsheet, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
	The following table shows clearances and receipts of coolers and spirits as published in the Wine Factsheet and Spirits Factsheet respectively:
	
		Clearances and receipts of coolers and spirits
		
			 Year Volume Xcoolers" thousand hectolitres of product Volume spirits thousand hectolitres of pure alcohol (12)Receipts (a) Xcoolers" # million Receipts spirits # million 
		
		
			 1988–89 21 992 N/a 1,576 
			 1989–90 104 988 N/a 1,514 
			 1990–91 188 987 N/a 1,703 
			 1991–92 281 888 9 1,742 
			 1992–93 434 863 15 1,661 
			 1993–94 505 850 18 1,707 
			 1994–95 553 887 20 1,776 
			 1995–96 1,049 814 36 1,653 
			 1996–97 1,696 823 65 1,593 
			 1997–98 1,214 810 68 1,546 
			 1998–99 1,287 840 75 1,643 
			 1999–2000 2,028 926 122 1,904 
			 2000–01 2,911 937 185 1,842 
			 2001–02 3,823 978 236 1,919 
		
	
	(12) Before 1991–92 receipts for Xcoolers" were included with made-wine.

Alcohol Sales

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the projected volume of (a) sales and (b) tax revenue is from (i) spirit-based alcoholic beverages and (ii) non-spirit based alcoholic beverages in the 12 months following the 2002 Budget.

John Healey: Not all of the information requested is available. Customs and Excise do not project the volume of 'sales'.
	Information on projected total duty receipts from spirits can be found inTable B12 of the Pre-Budget Report, November 2002 (HM Treasury Cm 5664). The projection for 2002–03 is #2.2 billion.
	Information on projected total duty from non-spirit based beverages is also in Table B12. The projection for 2002–03 for wine is #1.9 billion and beer and cider is #3.1 billion.

Alcohol Sales

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the volume of (a) sales and (b) tax revenue was from spirit-based (i) ready to drink and (ii) alcoholic beverages in each year from 1988 to 2001.

John Healey: The precise information requested is not available. Until Budget 2002 wine and spirit-based products with an alcohol content below 5.5 per cent. referred to in the hon. Member's question as Xready to drink", were dutied at the same rate and classified as made-wines. These products are also referred to as Xcoolers". Data on volumes of UK duty paid Xcoolers" and receipts can be found on page 1 of the HM Customs and Excise Wine factsheet, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The data includes volumes from wine and spirit-based Xcoolers".
	Data on volumes of UK duty paid spirits and receipts can also be found on the factsheet. The figures do not include spirit-based Xcoolers"

Child Care Tax Credit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people receive the child care tax credit in the Scottish Borders.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn), on 16 January 2002, Official Report, column 293W.

Corporation Tax

Michael Howard: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to table B11 of the Pre-Budget Report November 2002 (Cm 5664), on what basis he is forecasting a rise in corporation tax receipts as a proportion of GDP between 2002–03 and 2006–07.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	Details on assumptions underlying the projection for corporation tax receipts are given in paragraphs B45 and B46 of the Pre-Budget Report.

Council Tax

Michael Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to Table B12 of the pre-Budget report November 2002 (Cm 5664), on what basis he is forecasting a further 7.2 per cent. rise in council tax receipts in 2003–04; and what measures he intends to take to achieve this rise.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	The Government do not set a target for increases in council tax receipts. Council tax rates are a matter for local authorities to set in consultation with their electorates. In line with this the Government do not operate a system of crude and universal pre-announced capping. The Government's approach was laid out in a note to the Treasury Select Committee on 19 November 2002.
	The 2002 Spending Review gave local government a substantial three year grant increase, amounting to an average real increase of 3.9 per cent. per annum. This should allow authorities to deliver high quality public services without excessive council tax increases.
	As in previous years the figure for council tax receipts presented in the pre-Budget report is for the United Kingdom as a whole; projections for future years are based on assumptions about changes in the council tax rate, the taxbase, the collection rate and council tax benefit payments.

Earnings Statistics

Michael Moore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what percentage of full-time workers in (a) Scotland, (b) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (c) Great Britain earn less than (i) #302.12 per week, (ii) #277.24 per week, (iii) #203.85 per week and (iv) #155.39 per week in gross pay (A) including and (B) excluding overtime, in the categories (1) male manual, (2) male non-manual, (3) all male workers, (4) female manual, (5) female non-manual, (6) all female workers, (7) all manual, (8) non-manual and (9) all workers;
	(2)  what the average weekly earnings were in gross pay (a) including and (b) excluding overtime for full-time workers in (i) Scotland, (ii) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (iii) Great Britain for (A) all manual, (B) all non-manual and (C) all workers.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from L. Cook to Mr. Michael Moore, dated 9 December 2002
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions on weekly earnings for workers in Great Britain, Scotland and the unitary authorities in Scotland. (86276, 86277)
	I attach tables showing average weekly earnings, both including and excluding overtime, (Table 1) and the proportion of people earning below the different thresholds you listed, both including overtime (Table 2) and excluding overtime (Table 3).
	The New Earnings Survey (NES) can provide earnings data for small geographical areas. The release of NES data is restricted to figures that are derived from a sufficiently large sample of employees, and have an acceptable level of accuracy and I have provided the available data for Scotland, the unitary authorities in Scotland and Great Britain only for those areas where the samples are large enough. These are based on the 2002 NES, the latest survey for which data are available.
	
		New Earnings Survey, April 2002—Full time employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay period was unaffected by absence—Gross Average Weekly Earnings, Excluding Overtime
		
			   Percentage of employees with gross weekly earnings  
			   < 302.12 < 277.24 < 203.85 < 155.39 
		
		
			 Non-Manual Male Employees Great Britain 18.6 14.3 3.8 0.5 
			 Manual Male Employees  49.2 38.1 10.2 1.0 
			 All Male Employees  30.8 23.8 6.4 0.7 
			 Non-Manual Female Employees  39.6 32.0 9.7 1.3 
			 Manual Female Employees  83.4 76.2 41.2 8.2 
			 All Female Employees  45.8 38.2 14.1 2.3 
			 All Non-Manual Employees  28.3 22.5 6.6 0.9 
			 All Manual Employees  55.2 44.8 15.6 2.2 
			 All Employees  36.4 29.2 9.3 1.3 
			  
			 Non-Manual Male Employees Scotland 21.4 17.2 4.7 0.4 
			 Manual Male Employees  54.9 43.7 11.5 1.4 
			 All Male Employees  35.6 28.4 7.6 0.8 
			 Non-Manual Female Employees  43.9 35.2 9.7 1.2 
			 Manual Female Employees  87.0 80.2 45.0 8.2 
			 All Female Employees  50.2 41.8 14.9 2.2 
			 All Non-Manual Employees  32.9 26.3 7.3 0.8 
			 All Manual Employees  61.2 50.8 18.0 2.8 
			 All Employees  41.6 33.9 10.6 1.4 
			  
			 Non-Manual Male Employees Aberdeen City 13.9 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  Edinburgh, City of 18.9 15.6 4.7 (13)— 
			  Fife 18.3 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  Glasgow City 26.4 21.8 6.7 (13)— 
			  North Lanarkshire 24.8 19.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  
			 Manual Male Employees Aberdeen City 52.1 41.4 (13)— (13)— 
			  Aberdeenshire 62.5 53.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  Scottish Borders, The 73.9 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  Dumfries and Galloway 59.4 55.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  Dundee City 48.6 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  Edinburgh, City of 57.6 46.8 14.0 (13)— 
			  Falkirk 50.0 43.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  Fife 56.1 43.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  Glasgow City 52.1 42.2 10.2 (13)— 
			  Highland 57.0 43.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Ayrshire 63.0 55.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Lanarkshire 57.1 44.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  Perth and Kinross 56.3 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  Renfrewshire 50.6 43.8 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Ayrshire 52.6 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  South Lanarkshire 50.0 40.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  West Lothian 40.6 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			 All Male Employees Aberdeen City 26.9 20.8 7.5 (13)— 
			  Aberdeenshire 40.7 33.9 (13)— (13)— 
			  Dumfries and Galloway 41.1 37.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  Dundee City 32.5 27.4 (13)— (13)— 
			  Edinburgh, City of 29.9 24.4 7.4 (13)— 
			  Falkirk 38.2 31.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  Fife 37.2 28.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  Glasgow City 35.9 29.3 8.0 (13)— 
			  Highland 38.9 30.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  Moray 44.7 39.5 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Ayrshire 39.4 32.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Lanarkshire 39.8 31.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  Perth and Kinross 42.3 31.7 (13)— (13)— 
			  Renfrewshire 32.4 25.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Ayrshire 34.9 28.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Lanarkshire 32.0 24.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  West Lothian 32.1 23.8 (13)— (13)— 
			  
			 Non-Manual Female Employees Aberdeen City 34.9 25.5 (13)— (13)— 
			  Dundee City 43.2 37.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  Edinburgh, City of 37.7 28.1 6.3 (13)— 
			  Fife 48.4 40.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  Glasgow City 45.2 33.2 8.7 (13)— 
			  Highland 49.0 41.5 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Lanarkshire 44.2 38.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  Perth and Kinross 52.6 42.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  Renfrewshire 41.0 32.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Lanarkshire 44.7 36.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  West Lothian 42.9 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  
			 Manual Female Employees Edinburgh, City of 75.0 65.4 (13)— (13)— 
			  Fife 93.6 89.4 (13)— (13)— 
			  Glasgow City 78.9 73.7 48.7 (13)— 
			  South Lanarkshire 84.2 78.9 (13)— (13)— 
			  
			 All Female Employees Aberdeen City 41.4 32.7 13.7 (13)— 
			  Aberdeenshire 62.5 56.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  Dundee City 49.7 42.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  Edinburgh, City of 40.7 31.1 8.3 (13)— 
			  Fife 57.3 50.2 15.1 (13)— 
			  Glasgow City 48.7 37.3 12.8 (13)— 
			  Highland 53.6 47.0 18.7 (13)— 
			  North Lanarkshire 50.7 45.4 (13)— (13)— 
			  Perth and Kinross 57.8 48.9 (13)— (13)— 
			  Renfrewshire 46.8 39.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Ayrshire 44.8 40.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Lanarkshire 52.7 44.7 (13)— (13)— 
			  West Dunbartonshire 62.0 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  West Lothian 47.7 35.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  
			 All Non-Manual Employees Aberdeen City 23.6 17.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  Aberdeenshire 29.9 25.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  Angus 41.1 35.8 (13)— (13)— 
			  Dumfries and Galloway 34.7 30.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  Dundee City 33.3 29.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  Edinburgh, City of 27.9 21.6 5.5 (13)— 
			  Falkirk 41.7 32.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  Fife 33.9 27.7 (13)— (13)— 
			  Glasgow City 36.2 27.8 7.8 (13)— 
			  Highland 36.7 30.9 (13)— (13)— 
			  Moray 42.5 41.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Ayrshire 31.3 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  North Lanarkshire 33.9 28.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  Perth and Kinross 41.6 32.8 (13)— (13)— 
			  Renfrewshire 30.7 22.7 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Ayrshire 31.1 27.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Lanarkshire 31.2 23.9 (13)— (13)— 
			  West Lothian 32.6 25.8 (13)— (13)— 
			 All Manual Employees Aberdeen City 59.5 50.0 23.2 (13)— 
			  Aberdeenshire 69.8 61.1 (13)— (13)— 
			  Angus 71.2 57.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  Scottish Borders, The 82.6 71.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  Dumfries and Galloway 65.9 61.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  Dundee City 57.7 47.4 (13)— (13)— 
			  East Ayrshire 63.5 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  East Lothian 67.4 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  Edinburgh, City of 60.6 50.0 16.9 (13)— 
			  Falkirk 57.3 50.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  Fife 63.9 52.9 15.4 (13)— 
			  Glasgow City 56.9 47.8 17.0 (13)— 
			  Highland 61.7 49.6 (13)— (13)— 
			  Inverclyde 70.6 (13)— (13)— (13)— 
			  Moray 66.1 59.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Ayrshire 68.1 59.4 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Lanarkshire 62.2 51.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  Perth and Kinross 61.8 50.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  Renfrewshire 56.6 51.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Ayrshire 56.9 47.7 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Lanarkshire 58.2 49.4 (13)— (13)— 
			  West Lothian 45.2 31.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  
			 All Employees Aberdeen City 32.5 25.4 9.9 (13)— 
			  Aberdeenshire 48.4 41.8 15.0 (13)— 
			  Angus 52.6 44.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  Argyll and Bute 42.0 38.5 (13)— (13)— 
			  Scottish Borders, The 58.5 52.3 19.9 (13)— 
			  Dumfries and Galloway 47.6 43.2 14.6 (13)— 
			  Dundee City 40.1 34.1 10.2 (13)— 
			  East Lothian 41.7 32.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  Edinburgh, City of 34.4 27.2 7.8 (13)— 
			  Falkirk 47.1 38.5 12.1 (13)— 
			  Fife 45.2 37.2 9.8 (13)— 
			  Glasgow City 41.4 32.8 10.1 (13)— 
			  Highland 45.2 37.2 13.0 (13)— 
			  Inverclyde 54.5 40.7 (13)— (13)— 
			  Midlothian 46.2 38.5 (13)— (13)— 
			  Moray 53.0 49.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Ayrshire 46.7 38.2 (13)— (13)— 
			  North Lanarkshire 43.7 36.1 8.0 (13)— 
			  Perth and Kinross 48.8 39.0 (13)— (13)— 
			  Renfrewshire 38.5 31.3 11.7 (13)— 
			  South Ayrshire 39.0 33.3 (13)— (13)— 
			  South Lanarkshire 40.3 32.4 8.7 (13)— 
			  West Lothian 37.8 28.0 (13)— (13)— 
		
	
	(13) Denotes the data has been suppressed in line with NES publication criteria.
	Note:
	Where an authority does not appear the data has been suppressed.

Economic Cycles

Michael Howard: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to paragraph A37 of the Pre-Budget Report November 2002 (Cm 5664), what further data is required before a definitive judgement can be made on the start date for the present economic cycle; and when he expects to be in a position to make that judgement.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	It is inevitably much more difficult to judge whether or not an on-trend point occurs when output hovers close to trend as it did in mid-1999 than when output clearly passes through trend. As paragraph A37 of the Pre-Budget Report states:
	XThere is still some doubt about whether the economy was on trend in mid-1999 or just close to trend, so the judgement that the present cycle started in mid-1999 remains provisional. The data and methodology for estimating on-trend points and dating cycles are kept under review. But whether the current cycle started in 1997 or 1999 does not affect the judgement that the Government remains firmly on track to meet the fiscal rules over the cycle: the average current surplus since both 1997–98 and 1999–2000 is positive in every year of the projection period."
	Only future GDP revisions could change the current judgement that the present cycle started in mid-1999.

Economic Cycles

Michael Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to Chart A4 of the pre-Budget report November 2002 (Cm 5664), if he will make a statement on the projected end date of the current economic cycle.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	As set out in paragraph B7 of the pre-Budget report November 2002 (Cm 5664), the current economic cycle is projected to end in 2005–06.

Economic Growth

Michael Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish the estimates of actual UK trend growth prior to 2002 he has received from (a) the OECD, (b) the EC, (c) the OEF and (d) Goldman Sachs; and what reasons underlay his decision on the use of these estimates in the estimate of trend growth.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	Estimates of trend growth for the UK produced by the OECD, the EC, OEF and Goldman Sachs, among other organisations, are set out in Table 4.1 on page 26 of the Treasury paper, XTrend Growth: Recent Developments and Prospects" published at the time of the 2002 Budget.

Economic Growth

Michael Howard: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of the reduction in assumed trend growth from 2007–08 on the public finances from that financial year.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	The forecast for the public finances in Budget 2002 covers the years to 2006–07. However paragraph 3.41 of the accompanying paper, Trend Growth: Recent Developments and Prospects, signalled that population effects could affect growth projections in 2007–08. Under the Pre-Budget Report assumptions on spending for 2007–08, set out in paragraph B20, changes in growth projections affect both spending as well as receipts.

Economic Growth

Michael Howard: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his statement of 27 November, Official Report, column 318, on what evidence he based his statement that in 2003, Britain and North America are forecast to continue to be the fastest growing of all the major economies.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	According to the latest Consensus Forecasts, published in November 2002, growth in 2002 and 2003 is expected to be higher in the US, Canada and the UK than in the any of the other G7 economies.

Economic Tests

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set a date for the publication of a verdict on whether Britain has met the five economic tests for Euro entry.

Ruth Kelly: A comprehensive and rigorous assessment of the five tests will be made within two years of the start of this Parliament. Once the assessment is complete, it will be published and will be subject to intensive public scrutiny and debate.

Economic Tests

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he intends to have with the Governor of the Bank of England on whether the five economic tests for entry to the Euro are being met.

Ruth Kelly: The Chancellor meets regularly with the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss a range of issues.
	The assessment of the Five Economic Tests will be a Government assessment, and the work will be carried out by the Treasury.

Employers' Liability Premiums

Andy King: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the increase in employers' liability premiums.

Ruth Kelly: We receive a great many representations from both industry and individuals on this matter and on a variety of subjects.

Employers' Liability Premiums

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to use revenue from insurance premium tax above the revenue projected by his Department to provide a pool for employers' liability insurance.

Ruth Kelly: None.

Equitable Life

Iris Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in full the Penrose report into Equitable Life; and when the report will be published.

Ruth Kelly: The Penrose Inquiry is independent of the Government and the timetable for conducting the inquiry is a matter for Lord Penrose. However, Lord Penrose has recently said that he hoped that the inquiry would be able to report to Ministers next summer.
	I very much hope to be able to publish the full report of the inquiry. However, it may be that parts of the report will be subject to legal and commercial confidentiality restrictions. I will not be in a position to know whether or not we can publish in full until I have seen Lord Penrose's report. These legal and commercial confidentiality restrictions will be the only constraints on publishing in full. However, Lord Penrose is also aware of these issues and he assures me that he is proceeding on the basis that the report will be published.

Equitable Life

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Government schemes exist to compensate policyholders in Equitable Life in the event that it should go into receivership.

Ruth Kelly: The Government established the Financial Services Compensation Scheme as part of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The Scheme became operational on 1 December 2001 and acts as an industry financed 'safety net' for customers of finance sector companies which become insolvent. The Scheme would first seek to take measures to safeguard policyholders, for example by trying to ensure that policies are transferred to another company. If this is not possible, compensation may be payable subject to the rules of the Scheme.

Equitable Life

Iris Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulators in dealing with Equitable Life.

Ruth Kelly: Under the terms of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the FSA is obliged to produce an annual report assessing performance against its statutory objectives of maintaining confidence in the financial system, promoting public understanding of the financial system, securing an appropriate degree of protection for consumers and reducing the potential for financial firms to be used for financial crime. This is the primary mechanism for holding the FSA accountable to Ministers and Parliament.
	In August 2001 the Government announced an independent inquiry under Lord Penrose into the events surrounding Equitable Life. The terms of reference of the Inquiry, which covers events going back over 50 years, include the need to identify any lessons to be learnt for the conduct, administration and regulation of life assurance business. The Government looks forward to receiving Lord Penrose's report as soon as he is able to complete it. In addition, the Government published a report by the Financial Services Authority in October 2001 which reviewed the regulation of Equitable Life from 1 January 1999 to 8 December 2000 and which has been submitted as evidence to the inquiry conducted by Lord Penrose.

Gateway and Child Trust Fund

Michael Howard: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate of cost for the saving gateway and child trust fund is factored into his public finance projections.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	Funding for the Saving Gateway in the pilot phase is included within current spending plans. Consistent with the Code for Fiscal Stability, the public finances projections presented in the Pre-Budget Report do not take account of measures proposed for consultation, including the Child Trust Fund, or other proposals where final decisions have yet to be taken,
	including the details of the Saving Gateway.

Global Economic Slowdown

Michael Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his statement of 27 November 2002, Official Report, column 318, on what evidence he based his statement that there is the worst global slowdown for almost 30 years; and what estimates he has made of world GDP growth in each year since 1972.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	According to the International Monetary Fund's World Economic Outlook database, available on the IMF's website, World GDP growth fell from 4.7 per cent. in 2000 to 2.2 per cent. in 2001. This was the largest annual fall in World GDP growth since it fell from 6.9 per cent. to 2.8 per cent. in 1974.

Growth Rates

Michael Howard: To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis 2007–08 has been chosen as the year in which the trend growth rate is assumed to change as a result of demographic effects, for the purpose of his calculations in the Pre-Budget Report November 2002 (Cm 5664).

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December2002
	As set out in paragraph B20 of the Pre-Budget Report November 2002 (Cm 5664), projections by the Government Actuary's Department imply a slowdown in the growth of the population of working age, beyond 2006–07 mainly as a result of women born in the years following the Second World War moving into retirement, as confirmed to the National Audit Office (HC 109 Session 2002–03). This reduces the estimated trend rate of output growth by a ¼ of a percentage point in 2007–08.

Higher Rate Taxpayers

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many higher rate taxpayers there were in (a) the Scottish Borders, (b) Scotland and (c) the UK as a proportion of the total relevant population in each area in each of the last 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: Available estimates for the number of higher rate taxpayers 1 as a percentage of the total population 2 for the respective geographical areas are given in the table.
	1 Based on the Survey of Personal Incomes.
	2 Source for population estimates: Office for National Statistics and General
	
		Percentage 
		
			  Scottish borders Scotland(14) UK 
		
		
			 1996–97 4 3 4 
			 1997–98 4 3 4 
			 1998–99 3 3 4 
			 1999–2000 3 3 4 
			 2000–01 3 4 5 
		
	
	(14) Government office region

Inward Migration

Nicholas Soames: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what the net inward migration of non-EU nationals was in each of the last five available years.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Karren Dunnell to Mr. Nicholas Soames dated 9 December 2002
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on the net inward migration of non-EU nationals in each of the last five available years. I am replying in his absence.
	The information requested is provided in the attached table which shows the interim revised net migration estimates for non-EU nationals during the period 1997–2001.
	These interim migration estimates are consistent with the results of the 2001 Consus. This showed that the population of the UK had been overestimated between 1991 and 2000, mainly due to the overestimation of the net flow of international migrants into the UK. For this reason, an adjustment has been made equivalent to the average annual overestimation of net migration since 1991. This is approximately 76,000 each year. The first release of these interim revised estimates was made on Thursday, 28 November. More information is available on the NS website: http://wwwstatistics.gov.uk/about/Methodology by theme/downloads/international migration methodology.doc.
	
		Interim revised total international estimates(15): citizenship 1997 to 2001. Net migration to the UK -- Thousands (#)
		
			 Year All citizenships British Rest of EU Non-European Union(16) 
		
		
			 1997 10.8 67.3 7.6 70.4 
			 1998 96.3 29.2 19.8 105.6 
			 1999 100.5 29.7 2.1 132.3 
			 2000 99.6 65.6 0.1 165.0 
			 2001 125.7 56.3 4.0 178.1 
		
	
	(15) These estimates represent interim revised migration estimates. Further revisions to the series, in the light of more detailed Census data, will be made available in spring 2003. This table includes adjustment for asylum seekers, and for persons admitted as short-term visitors who are subsequently granted an extension of stay for other reasons—for example, as students or on the basis of marriage. Migration flows between the UK and Irish Republic are also included.
	(16) Figures for all years show EU as it was constituted on 1 January 1995.

Money Laundering

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance has been given on the implications of money laundering regulations to applicants for post office card accounts.

Ruth Kelly: The Joint Money Laundering Steering Group (JMLSG), which is an industry-led body, produces general guidance on the implementation of the Money Laundering Regulations. I have endorsed this guidance under section 330 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The guidance is flexible, recognising that people who cannot easily provide detailed evidence of identity should have access to financial services.

Pension schemes

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the EU Directive on occupational pension schemes and its impact on UK pension schemes.

Ruth Kelly: The proposal for the Directive on Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision is entering the second reading in the European Parliament. The proposed Directive would apply to funded occupational pension schemes. It would not apply to state pension schemes and personal pensions. The proposal leaves member states free to determine the structure of their pensions systems.

Procurement

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fair trade criteria the Government apply when deciding upon what suppliers to use.

Paul Boateng: There is no Government-wide approach to the procurement of fair trade products. Each Government Department is responsible for making its own decisions on such products, against the background of the Government's value for money policy, the EC procurement rules and the Department's objectives. However, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development has made clear, the Government are committed to supporting ethical trading wherever possible, and provide significant support to the Fairtrade Foundation's efforts in promoting the supply and marketing of fair trade products.

Productivity Growth

Michael Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to paragraph A34 of the pre-Budget report November 2002 (Cm 5664), on what basis he is raising his estimate for the trend rate of productivity growth as set out in Table A3.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	As paragraph A34 of the pre-Budget report November 2002 (Cm 5664) sets out,
	XThe corollary of Census 2001 related downward revisions to employment and hours in recent years has been somewhat stronger productivity growth than previous estimates suggested."
	A full explanation of how this affects estimates of the trend rate of productivity growth is set out in paragraphs A36 to A42 and Table A3 of the pre-Budget report.

Productivity Growth

Michael Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his revised estimates for the trend rate of productivity growth are dependent upon the potential increases in the underlying productivity growth rate, specified in paragraph A35 of the pre-Budget report November 2002 (Cm 5664), being realised.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	No. In projecting productivity growth the Government do not score any potential gains from government policies whose impact is yet to materialise. Rather the approach is to estimate underlying productivity growth between past on-trend points for the economy and to use this as the trend rate for projecting forward.

Savings

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he plans to introduce to improve the savings ratio in the short-term.

Ruth Kelly: The Government's strategy for promoting saving is focused on:
	improving the environment for saving;
	creating the right incentives for saving; and
	empowering individuals by providing greater financial information, improved access to honest and straightforward advice, and simpler, easier to understand savings products.
	The pre-Budget report included statements on the progress of the Government's saving policies.

Skills Budgets

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to devolve the management of skills budgets to regions other than the North-east, North-west, South-east and East.

Ivan Lewis: We have asked regional development agencies and local learning and skills councils in the North-east, North-west, South-east and East of England to draw up proposals for pilots to test how they can pool and co-ordinate adult skills budgets in their regions to improve the delivery of training and skills provision to both employers and individuals. The pilots will start in April 2003 and will run for two years. They will be carefully monitored and evaluated. PDAs and LLSCs in other regions are also looking at ways of working together more closely outside the formal pilot arrangements and I greatly welcome this.

Tax Credits

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements have been made to reassess recipients of family tax credit whose entitlement is due to be reassessed before the introduction of the new tax credits system in April 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: Transitional arrangements are currently in place so that any Working Families' Tax Credit award made on or after 4 June this year will run until April 2003. However families who have a new child can surrender their existing award and make a new claim.

Tax Credits

Michael Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures exist for those in receipt of working families tax credit to seek a review on material change of circumstances prior to the introduction of the new system in April 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) is a fixed award. Once made, awards generally remain in payment at the same rate during the period of entitlement, regardless of changes in family circumstances. However, families receiving WFTC are able to surrender an existing award and make a new claim as soon as they have a new child.

Tax Receipts

Michael Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis he is calculating the trend in levels of receipts from (a) the financial services sector and (b) stamp duty on property.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 5 December 2002
	Further details on projections of receipts from financial companies are given in paragraphs B45 and B46 of the pre-Budget report.
	Details of the projections of stamp duty receipts are given in paragraphs B52 and B53 of the pre-Budget report. They are based on the assumption that house price inflation moderates towards its long run relationship with earnings, as explained in paragraph B54 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 2002.
	The public finance projections are deliberately based on cautious assumptions for key economic variables, including the trend rate of growth of the economy.

VAT

Michael Howard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to paragraph B56 of the pre-Budget report November 2002 (Cm 5664), how much the strategy on VAT fraud and avoidance is expected to yield in 2002–03; and on what basis the figure for additional receipts by 2005–06 is calculated.

John Healey: holding answer 5 December 2002
	Projected VAT receipts in 2002–03 are calculated primarily on the basis of receipts to date. The forecast of VAT revenues from 2003–04 onwards is governed by an NAO-audited assumption, which has now been adjusted to take account of the VAT strategy. The NAO's XAudit of Assumptions for the 2002 Pre-Budget Report" sets out the additional revenue yield included in the forecast and the basis on which this has been calculated.

Vehicle Fuel

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much HM Customs and Excise spent on its programme to detect the use of vehicle fuel on which fuel taxes have not been paid in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by region.

John Healey: I refer to the answer I gave to the Member for Edinburgh, West on 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 204W. A regional split is not available.

CABINET OFFICE

E-Envoy

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the budget is for the e-envoy; and how many staff he has.

Douglas Alexander: In respect of 2002–03, the Office of the e-envoy was given a current expenditure budget of #17.429 million. The Office of the e-envoy was also allocated #30 million capital expenditure from the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF). As at 2 December 2002 the Office of the e-Envoy employed a total of 145 staff. This figure is rounded to full time equivalents.

Ministerial Performance

Graham Allen: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent steps he has instituted to help Her Majesty's Government's Ministers improve their performance; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office provides central training for Ministers. This supports them:
	operating as a member of the Government team;
	managing the strategic policy and communication aspects;
	of the job as a member of a departmental team;
	working with and through Parliament.
	The Programmes for Ministers series provides:
	access to expert contributors from government and the wider public and private sector;
	discussion with colleagues and sharing best practice;
	awareness of current developments in government.
	Specific needs of individual Ministers are met on a personal basis.
	The Ministerial Code sets out the standards and conduct expected of Ministers.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Medical Students

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total cost is of medical training per student in the United Kingdom; how many medical schools there are in the United Kingdom; how many medical schools have mandatory courses of six years training; how many medical schools have optional six-year training courses; and how many students in the United Kingdom are in receipt of full means-tested funds in each medical school.

Margaret Hodge: The cost per medical school student will vary according to the type and length of their course. Higher education institutions in the United Kingdom receive public funding from the relevant higher education funding body of between #5,700 and #6,700 per student in each of their non-clinical years, and around #13,000 for each of the clinical years. These include the standard contribution to tuition fees, whether or not these are paid by the student. The national health service also provides some #540 million per year to the hospitals for the clinical training of medical students through its Multi-Professional Education and Training levy.
	There are 47 medical courses offered at 30 higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. Of these, 11 are courses lasting six years. The remaining 36 include those for graduate entry and shorter accelerated routes into medicine, as well as courses of five years. Data on the number of students in receipt of full means-tested support in each medical school is not available.

Medical Students

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many medical students are in receipt of maximum non-means tested loans, broken down by medical schools; and how many medical students are in receipt of (a) grants and (b) loans, broken down by university.

Margaret Hodge: Data on the support received by medical students is not separately identified.

Asset Management Plans

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will publish the remaining results of the first asset management plans; for what reason publication has been delayed; and if he will publish results of future asset management plans within six months of their completion.

David Miliband: We will publish the remaining results of the first asset management plans by the end of February 2003. The work necessary to appraise, analyse and collate the information has impacted on the original publication programme.
	Subject to the necessary appraisal, we plan to publish the results of future asset management plans within six months of the receipt of all the information.

Autism

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to monitor progress in implementing his Department's good practice guidelines on autism.

Ivan Lewis: The Good Practice Guidance on Autistic Spectrum Disorders, published by the Departments of Education and Skills and of Health, is designed to raise awareness of the disorders and act as a self-audit tool for schools, local education authorities and other providers to help them assess the effectiveness of their autism provision. The Guidance is non-statutory.
	Schools and local education authorities have duties to identify, assess and make suitable provision for children with special educational needs, including those with autism. Ofsted regularly inspects the provision made by schools and local education authorities, including that made for children with special educational needs. Where weaknesses are identified in the provision made for children with autism, the Guidance is available to schools and local education authorities to provide pointers to improvement.

Craft Subjects

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans there are to recruit more lecturers to further education colleges in craft subjects.

Margaret Hodge: As independent organisations it is for individual colleges to recruit their own staff within the context of the overall resources available to them.
	We are making a #1.2 billion investment to increase expenditure in FE over the next three years. That is equivalent to a 19 per cent. real terms increase. Colleges will use this investment to increase participation in learning and to improve student outcomes. They will be able to raise standards of teaching and learning, improve the capability of the workforce and become more responsive to the demands of both employers and students. Importantly, they will also have the flexibility to use the resource to meet specific local or subject recruitment needs.
	We will continue to fund a range of recruitment and retention initiatives to attract new FE teachers into the profession. These include teaching bursaries for people undertaking post graduate certificates of education and certificates of education to enter FE and golden hellos and the repayment of teacher loans for new teachers in identified shortage subject areas. Although Xcraft" subjects are not a priority for golden hellos or the repayment of teacher loans, we are keeping the list of shortage subjects under review.

Degrees

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what regulations prevent private institutions from awarding degrees; what (a) advice and (b) representations he has received on allowing private institutions to award degrees; and if he will place copies in the Library.

Margaret Hodge: The regulations that limit the awarding of UK degrees are contained within the Education Reform Act 1988, which stipulates that UK degrees can be awarded only by organisations with powers granted by Royal Charter or Act of Parliament. Section 76 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 allows the Privy Council to specify any institution offering higher education as competent to grant degrees. There is no legislation preventing private organisations from applying for degree awarding powers. I have received no representations about allowing private organisations to award degrees. However, the Privy Council has received two applications from private organisations for degree awarding powers. These are currently being considered by the Quality Assurance Agency through the normal process of scrutiny for such powers.

Education Provision (Buckinghamshire)

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils have been excluded from schools in (a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire in each year since 1 January 1996.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 3 December 2002
	The information on permanent exclusions is shown in the table. Information on fixed term exclusions is not held centrally.
	
		Number of permanent exclusions—academic years 1996–97 to 2000–01 -- Chesham and Amersham
		
			  Primary(17) Secondary(17) Special(18) Total  
			  Number of exclusions Percentage of the school population(19) Number of exclusions Percentage of the school population(19) Number of exclusions Percentage of the school population(19) Number of exclusions Percentage of the school population(19) 
		
		
			 1996–97 0 0.00 14 0.18 2 0.66 16 0.10 
			 1997–98 1 0.01 12 0.15 0 0.00 13 0.08 
			 1998–99 0 0.00 16 0.18 0 0.00 16 0.09 
			 1999–2000 0 0.00 15 0.17 1 0.30 16 0.09 
			 2000–01 1 0.01 13 0.14 0 0.00 14 0.08 
		
	
	
		Buckinghamshire LEA 
		
			  Primary(17) Secondary(17) Special(18) Total  
			  Number of exclusions Percentage of the school population(19) Number of exclusions Percentage of the school population(19) Number of exclusions Percentage of the school population(19) Number of exclusions Percentage of the school population(19) 
		
		
			 1996–97(20) 5 0.01 42 0.16 2 0.17 49 0.07 
			 1997–98 13 0.03 54 0.20 10 0.85 77 0.10 
			 1998–99 8 0.02 52 0.17 5 0.43 65 0.09 
			 1999–2000 5 0.01 51 0.16 7 0.60 63 0.08 
			 2000–01 11 0.03 55 0.17 6 0.53 72 0.10 
		
	
	(17) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(18) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools.
	(19) The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils in Primary, Secondary and Special schools.
	(20) Before local government reorganisation.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Further Education Lecturers

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many further education lecturers were employed at colleges in England in each of the last five years, broken down by those on (a) permanent and (b) part-time contracts; and what average hours were worked by each group.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 2 December 2002
	Information on the number of FE lecturers with permanent and part-time contracts is published in 'Staff Statistics', which is available in the Library of the House.
	
		Lecturers in further education colleges in England, 1996–97 to 2000–01
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 All lecturers 130,858 139,693 141,755 136,730 134,316 
			 Part-time lecturers 82,100 92,681 95,662 91,108 87,547 
			 Permanent lecturers 59,700 56,600 60,421 60,656 61,779 
		
	
	Note:
	Information on the average hours worked by permanent and part-time lecturers is not available.
	Source
	Staff statistics, summary table and table 4

Graduate Incomes

David Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his answer of 2 December 2002, Official Report, column 556W, on graduate incomes, if he will place a copy of the working paper, in which the figures of #1,075,000 and #675,000 are calculated, in the Library.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 5 December 2002
	The information requested has been placed in the library.

Higher Education Students (Warrington)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students from Warrington entered higher education in the past five years, broken down by social class.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 2 December 2002
	The latest available information, covering students who were accepted for entry to full-time and sandwich first degree courses via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), is shown in the table. Comparable figures for 2002 will be available in January 2003.
	The Government are committed to raising the participation of those from social classes which are currently under-represented in higher education, and has introduced Excellence Challenge, including the AimHigher campaign, which is targeted at raising attainment and aspirations among young people who traditionally would not consider going to university.
	
		Students from Warrington LEA who were accepted for entry to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses in the UK
		
			  Year of entry  
			 Social class: 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Professional 116 122 116 141 
			 Intermediate 340 370 351 350 
			 Skilled non manual 79 78 94 93 
			 Skilled manual 133 116 126 128 
			 Partly skilled 75 74 67 61 
			 Unskilled 10 8 6 5 
			 Unknown 80 77 93 109 
			 Total 833 845 853 887

Inspection

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to establish a standard framework for inspection bodies in the further education sector.

Margaret Hodge: The common inspection framework was introduced by the Office for Standards in Education and the Adult Learning Inspectorate on 1 April 2001, as required by the Learning and Skills Act 2000. It sets out the principles applicable to the inspections of all Government funded post-16 non-higher education and training, (except school sixth forms), including the further education sector.

Literacy

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures will be taken to increase the number of 7-year-old children reaching set literacy standards.

David Miliband: The National Literacy Strategy (NLS) is raising literacy standards in primary schools. In this year's national tests, 84 per cent. of 7-year-olds achieved the level expected for their age—level 2 or above—in reading compared to 80 per cent. in 1998; and 69 per cent. achieved at the upper end of level 2—level 2B or above—compared to 62 per cent. in 1998.
	We remain committed to making further improvements in standards. We have introduced a new intervention programme, Early Literacy Support, to help those children in Year 1 who are already struggling with literacy or at risk of developing literacy difficulties later on. We will also continue to review and refine the literacy strategy in response to the latest research and evidence from our most successful schools.

Mature Students

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial support is available for mature students in higher education in England.

Margaret Hodge: We have greatly increased the financial support available to mature students. Nearly a quarter of a billion pounds is now spent on support for students with particular financial needs, including mature students, compared to #124 million five years ago. In the academic year 2002–03, in addition to means tested student loans (up to #4,815 in London, #3,905 elsewhere), and tuition fee grants (up to #1,100), full-time mature students can apply for dependants grants (up to #2,225 for an adult or otherwise for an eldest child, more for additional children), an additional dependants grant (#255), child care grant (up to #8,480 for two or more children), school meals grant (up to #275 per child) and travel, books and equipment grant (#510). They can also apply for discretionary support through their HE institution, in the form of #500 access bursaries, hardship funds and hardship loans. A single parent with two children in receipt of the full student loan and maximum child care grant could receive about #15,800 each year, plus discretionary support.
	Part-time HE students studying on at least 50 per cent. (or more) of a full-time equivalent course are eligible for means tested fee waivers, student loans of #500 and discretionary help from the hardship funds. There are also generous non means-tested allowances for both full-time and part-time disabled students.
	These arrangements are generous but overly complicated. From 2003–04 they will be simplified. A new grant (the Parents Learning Allowance worth up to #1,300) will replace the access bursary, the additional dependants grant and the travel, books and equipment grant and child dependants grant and school meals grant will be replaced by child tax credits and passported free school meals from the Inland Revenue. From 2004–05, hardship funds and loans will be replaced by grants from a new Access to Learning Fund. These streamlined arrangements will in some cases provide students with more help than they currently receive.

NVQs

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people (a) enrolled for and (b) completed national vocational qualifications in (i) plumbing, (ii) bricklaying, (iii) bridge to construction (or intermediate construction award), (iv) painting and decorating and (v) wood occupations, in each year since the establishment of the courses.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 5 December 2002
	The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Performing Arts

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what basis Government funding is allocated for small specialist performing arts institutions in (a) music, (b) acting, (c) dance, (d) performance technology and (e) sound technology; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 21 November 2002
	The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is responsible for determining the allocation of grants to higher education institutions. In general, the HEFCE fund similar courses at similar rates irrespective of which higher education institution is providing the course. However, in the case of specialist institutions, additional funding is provided to reflect the nature of the institution and the characteristics of the courses provided. Guidance on the general funding methodology for specialist institutions was published in HEFCE circular 98/10 following advice from the Specialist Institutions Advisory Panel. Criteria for the funding of specialist performing arts institutions were published in HEFCE circular 99/41 and were based on detailed analysis of the costs and characteristics of the provision. The council does not distinguish between the different art forms in its funding methodology, and the amount of additional funding for these institutions varies according to how closely they meet the criteria set out in the guidance. HEFCE have also made public criteria for the funding of very high cost institutions specialising in music, dance and drama. The supplementary funding for specialist institutions is kept under review to ensure that the levels remain appropriate.

Reception Classes

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many four year olds there were in reception classes in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 5 December 2002
	The information is not available in the form requested.
	The percentage of four year olds in classes not designated as nursery classes in maintained primary schools in England between 1993 and 2002 is shown in the table.
	
		Number and percentage(21) of 4-year-olds in classes not designated as nursery classes(22) in maintained primary schools. January 1993–2002—England
		
			  Number of 4-year-olds educated in infant classes in maintained primary schools Percentage of 4-year-olds educated in infant classes 
		
		
			 1993 (23)— (23)— 
			 1994 (23)— (23)— 
			 1995 (23)— (23)— 
			 1996 343,400 52 
			 1997 345,200 53 
			 1998 351,000 56 
			 1999 353,900 57 
			 2000 349,400 57 
			 2001 (23)— (23)— 
			 2002(24) 358,300 60 
		
	
	(21) Number of 4-year-olds in classes not designated as nursery classes expressed as a percentage of the 4-year-old population.
	(22) Includes reception and other class provision for 4-year-olds but excludes designated nursery classes.
	(23) Not available.
	(24) Provisional.
	Since 1998, there has been a Statutory Duty on all LEAs to secure sufficient provision for all four year olds, whose parents want one, in their area. It is for each local education authority in consultation with their early years and child care partnership to plan and organise such provision: places are made available in the maintained, private, voluntary and independent sectors.
	Latest figures on under 5s' provision in England were published in Statistical First Release XProvision for children under five years of age in England —January 2002 (provisional estimates)", a copy of which is available from the Library or the Department's website www.dfes.qov.uk/statistics.

School Closures

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research has been done on the impact of closing schools on (a) the educational attainment of former pupils in their new schools, (b) local communities and (c) areas of social deprivation.

David Miliband: holding answer 5 December 2002
	Decisions on whether to close schools are taken by the local School Organisation Committee or, if the committee cannot agree unanimously, by the independent Schools Adjudicator. Guidance issued by the Secretary of State requires both bodies to consider a range of factors in making their decision. For school closures, the factors include the effect on standards of educational provision, the need to preserve access to a local school for rural communities and access to community facilities, particularly in areas of social deprivation. The Department has not commissioned any research into the impact of school closures. However, where a failing school is closed, it is usual for the former pupils to show greatly increased attainment or better rates of progress at their new schools.

School Laboratories

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the allocations to each local authority from the #60 million School Laboratories for the 21st Century Scheme.

David Miliband: The table lists the allocations for school laboratories.
	
		#000 
		
			 LEA Name 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 127 127 
			 Barnet 200 200 
			 Barnsley 145 145 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 137 137 
			 Bedfordshire 246 246 
			 Bexley 168 168 
			 Birmingham 555 555 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 121 121 
			 Blackpool 103 103 
			 Bolton 185 185 
			 Bournemouth 121 121 
			 Bracknell Forest 95 95 
			 Bradford 302 302 
			 Brent 153 153 
			 Brighton and Hove 134 134 
			 Bristol, city of 177 177 
			 Bromley 195 195 
			 Buckinghamshire 279 279 
			 Bury 134 134 
			 Calderdale 154 154 
			 Cambridgeshire 269 269 
			 Camden 130 130 
			 Cheshire 383 383 
			 Cornwall 275 275 
			 Coventry 201 201 
			 Croydon 170 170 
			 Cumbria 291 291 
			 Darlington 93 93 
			 Derby 155 155 
			 Derbyshire 387 387 
			 Devon 327 327 
			 Doncaster 204 204 
			 Dorset 224 224 
			 Dudley 195 195 
			 Durham 289 289 
			 Ealing 157 157 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 209 209 
			 East Sussex 245 245 
			 Enfield 194 194 
			 Essex 657 657 
			 Gateshead 137 137 
			 Gloucestershire 319 319 
			 Greenwich 152 152 
			 Hackney 108 108 
			 Halton 115 115 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 98 98 
			 Hampshire 551 551 
			 Haringey 129 129 
			 Harrow 111 111 
			 Hartlepool 98 98 
			 Havering 159 159 
			 Herefordshire 118 118 
			 Hertfordshire 579 579 
			 Hillingdon 163 163 
			 Hounslow 166 166 
			 Isle of Wight 113 113 
			 Isles of Scilly 51 51 
			 Islington 105 105 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 76 76 
			 Kent 703 703 
			 Kingston upon Hull, city of 165 165 
			 Kingston upon Thames 111 111 
			 Kirklees 233 233 
			 Knowsley 125 125 
			 Lambeth 103 103 
			 Lancashire 591 591 
			 Leeds 386 386 
			 Leicester 185 185 
			 Leicestershire 352 352 
			 Lewisham 134 134 
			 Lincolnshire 357 357 
			 Liverpool 296 296 
			 Luton 134 134 
			 Manchester 221 221 
			 Medway 189 189 
			 Merton 103 103 
			 Middlesbrough 115 115 
			 Milton Keynes 136 136 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 170 170 
			 Newham 171 171 
			 Norfolk 364 364 
			 North East Lincolnshire 133 133 
			 North Lincolnshire 128 128 
			 North Somerset 138 138 
			 North Tyneside 141 141 
			 North Yorkshire 332 332 
			 Northamptonshire 360 360 
			 Northumberland 216 216 
			 Nottingham 150 150 
			 Nottinghamshire 431 431 
			 Oldham 174 174 
			 Oxfordshire 308 308 
			 Peterborough 144 144 
			 Plymouth 186 186 
			 Poole 106 106 
			 Portsmouth 122 122 
			 Reading 96 96 
			 Redbridge 181 181 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 126 126 
			 Richmond upon Thames 106 106 
			 Rochdale 152 152 
			 Rotherham 195 195 
			 Rutland 65 65 
			 Salford 142 142 
			 Sandwell 194 194 
			 Sefton 198 198 
			 Sheffield 260 260 
			 Shropshire 173 173 
			 Slough 105 105 
			 Solihull 160 160 
			 Somerset 251 251 
			 South Gloucestershire 166 166 
			 South Tyneside 126 126 
			 Southampton 138 138 
			 Southend-on-Sea 130 130 
			 Southwark 122 122 
			 St. Helens 139 139 
			 Staffordshire 464 464 
			 Stockport 169 169 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 145 145 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 156 156 
			 Suffolk 358 358 
			 Sunderland 196 196 
			 Surrey 450 450 
			 Sutton 147 147 
			 Swindon 133 133 
			 Tameside 159 159 
			 Telford and the Wrekin 124 124 
			 Thurrock 108 108 
			 Torbay 113 113 
			 Tower Hamlets 152 152 
			 Trafford 162 162 
			 Wakefield 201 201 
			 Walsall 204 204 
			 Waltham Forest 143 143 
			 Wandsworth 124 124 
			 Warrington 149 149 
			 Warwickshire 282 282 
			 West Berkshire 132 132 
			 West Sussex 351 351 
			 Westminster 107 107 
			 Wigan 202 202 
			 Wiltshire 241 241 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 117 117 
			 Wirral 224 224 
			 Wokingham 128 128 
			 Wolverhampton 169 169 
			 Worcestershire 295 295 
			 York 121 121 
			 Total 29,998 29,998

School Leavers (Careers)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what comparison has been made of places for careers among school leavers by the careers service in coalfield areas, compared to the national average.

Stephen Twigg: Information in the following table has been taken from the annual activity survey of all school leavers in the autumn of the year they complete compulsory education undertaken by Careers Services and Connexions Partnerships. This data relates to all school leavers from the 2000–2001 academic year. It has not been possible to match the data exactly to the coalfield areas; data is collected by Education Authority and has been aggregated to provide the closest match possible. Details of areas included are given in the footnote to the table.
	The table shows that in the coalfield areas, young people are less likely to be settled in full time education, or training and rely more heavily on government supported training than in non- coalfield areas. The table also shows a higher rate of unemployment for young people living in these areas.
	
		Percentages 
		
			  Total of non coalfield areas (25) Total of coalfied areas England 
		
		
			 Full-time education 72.3 67.9 71.7 
			 Government supported training 3.6 7.4 4.0 
			 Employment 11.9 12.5 12.0 
			 Not settled in full time education training or employment 7.2 8.4 7.3 
			 Of which:
			 Part-time employment/training 0.5 0.4 0.5 
			 Unemployed 5.5 6.4 5.6 
			 Not active in labour market 1.1 1.7 1.2 
			 No response/move away 5.1 3.8 5.0 
			 Survey total 508,098 74,788 582,886 
		
	
	(25) The closest approximation of the coalfield areas includes: Coventry, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Wakefield, Merseyside, St. Helens, Darlington, Durham, Northumberland, Sunderland

Student Exchange Programmes

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the European Commission's proposal, COM (2002) 401 final, and the subsequent Council decision to invite students from third countries to participate in European exchange programmes.

Margaret Hodge: I welcome the European Commission's proposal to establish XErasmus World", which should provide UK universities and colleges with opportunities to attract overseas students, and will enable UK universities to forge useful partnerships with their counterparts in other EU countries. The UK and other member states have expressed some reservations about the funding of the proposal. The Danish Presidency of the European Union has recently circulated a revised version of the proposal. We are considering our position in the light of this.

Students (Benefits)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding extending the eligibility criteria for benefits to students in higher education.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 25 November 2002
	We have regular discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about specific student support and benefits issues. Social security is available to certain students in DWP vulnerable groups such as the disabled and lone parents but the general principle is that support for higher education students comes from the education system. There are no plans to change this.
	Student support is taken into account in deciding upon the level of benefit payable, but much of the additional financial support for such vulnerable students, for example child care grant, is disregarded for benefit purposes.

Surplus School Places

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the part played by consideration of best value in determining whether surplus schools should be closed.

David Miliband: holding answer 5 December 2002
	Surplus places can represent poor use of resources. This is why the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister sets annual Best Value Performance Indicators for the percentage of surplus places in an LEA each year. Decisions on whether to close schools are taken by the local School Organisation Committee or, if the Committee cannot agree unanimously, by the independent Schools Adjudicator. Guidance issued by the Secretary of State requires both bodies to consider a range of factors, including standards and access.

Surplus School Places

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what financial penalties are in place if local education authorities have surplus school places.

David Miliband: holding answer 5 December 2002
	Local education authorities receive funding based on pupil numbers and there are no financial penalties for having surplus school places. While resources devoted to maintaining surplus school places can sometimes be more effectively used to support schools in raising standards, we recognise that in some cases it may not be possible to remove all surplus places due to demographic changes and falling rolls.

Technology and Science College Status

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the reason underlying the decision not to shortlist the application by (a) Belvidere School and (b) Mary Webb School for technology college and science college status.

David Miliband: In the judgement of our independent assessors, these schools did not meet the published criteria set out in the XGuide for Schools" available to all schools applying for specialist college designation in 2002–03. Both schools received written feedback from the Department on their individual applications. The feedback should provide a helpful basis on which to make a stronger revised application.

University Entrants

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of sixth formers in schools in Sittingbourne and Sheppey went to university in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 3 December 2002
	Figures for the number of school leavers who go on to higher education are not collated centrally on a constituency basis. The available figures for Great Britain, showing the proportion of under 21-year-olds who enter higher education for the first time from either sixth forms or FE colleges, are given in the table. There was an increase in the index in 1997–98 related partly to changes in the funding arrangements for higher education, with students choosing to enter HE rather than wait until 1998–99. There was a corresponding reduction in 1998–99 before the entry rates started to increase again in 1999–2000. Between 1997–98 and 2000–01, total HE students in English universities and colleges rose by 83,000.
	
		Age Participation Index (API)1 for Great Britain
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			  
			 1997–98 33 
			 1998–99 31 
			 1999–2000 32 
			 2000–01 33 
		
	
	(26) The API is defined as the number of GB domiciled initial entrants to full-time and sandwich undergraduate HE aged under 21, expressed as a percentage of the average number of 18 and 19-year-olds in the population.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Anti-asbestos Campaign

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  which anti-asbestos campaigners were investigated by MI5 between 1972 and 1980;
	(2)  if the records compiled during the 1970s on the anti-asbestos campaigners will be opened to the public under the 30-year rule;
	(3)  whether MI5 files on anti-asbestos campaigners are still live.

David Blunkett: It has been the longstanding policy of successive Governments to neither confirm nor deny reports concerning Security Service operations. However, the Service has made clear that it has never investigated people simply because they were office-holders or members of campaigning organisations or pressure groups.

Antisocial Behaviour

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals were convicted of offences relating to (a) graffiti, (b) excess noise and (c) fly tipping in each of the last 10 years; and what were the (i) maximum and (ii) minimum penalties imposed.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 2 December 2002
	The available information for England and Wales is shown in the table, and covers the years 1991 to 2000. It is not possible, in the statistics collected centrally, to distinguish offences relating to graffiti from other offences of criminal damage.
	Statistics for 2001 will be available in December.
	
		Number of defendants convicted of offences related to noise and fly tipping at all courts, England and Wales 1991–2000
		
			 Offence description Principal statute Year Number of persons convicted Minimum penalty imposed Maximum penalty imposed 
		
		
			 Noise on construction sites, operating loudspeakers in the street, exceeding permitted noise level after service of notice and other summary offences Control of Pollution Act 1974, sections 60 and 62 and Noise Act 1996 1991 33 Absolute discharge #1,000 fine 
			   1992 43 Absolute discharge #1,000 fine 
			   1993 41 Conditional discharge #2,000 fine 
			   1994 44 Conditional discharge #3,000 fine 
			   1995 48 Absolute discharge #3,000 fine 
			   1996 65 Absolute discharge #3,500 fine 
			   1997 58 Conditional discharge #3,500 fine 
			   1998 61 Absolute discharge #4,000 fine 
			   1999 72 #50 fine #4,000 fine 
			   (27)2000 38 Conditional discharge #2,500 fine 
			 Prohibition on authorised or harmful deposit, treatment or disposal etc. of waste (fly tipping) Environmental Protection Act 1990 sections 33(6), 33(8), 33(9) and 34 1991 4 #200 fine #500 fine 
			   1992 18 Conditional discharge #1,388 fine 
			   1993 104 Absolute discharge #10,000 fine 
			   1994 124 Absolute discharge 3 months imprisonment 
			   1995 202 Absolute discharge 18 months imprisonment 
			   1996 262 Absolute discharge 18 months imprisonment 
			   1997 237 Absolute discharge 18 months imprisonment 
			   1998 296 Absolute discharge 2 years imprisonment 
			   1999 317 Absolute discharge 8 months imprisonment 
			   (27)2000 393 Absolute discharge 18 months imprisonment 
		
	
	(27) Excluding any convictions at magistrates courts in Staffordshire.
	Note
	All data are given on a principal offence basis.

Asylum Seekers

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on problems affecting asylum seekers in Clearsprings houses in the UK;
	(2)  what contract Clearsprings have with the Home Office;
	(3)  who monitors the performance and the running of homes run by Clearsprings
	(4)  how much Clearsprings receives for looking after asylum seekers in the UK;
	(5)  what guidelines he sets for Clearsprings in receipt of housing for asylum seekers.

Beverley Hughes: Clearsprings Management Ltd has a contract with the National Asylum Support Services (MASS) to provide accommodation for destitute asylum seekers. The contract is due to expire in March 2005. I am unable to give details about payments to Clearsprings under the terms of this contract since this information is commercial in confidence. Clearsprings Management Ltd is required to operate within the conditions of their contract with NASS. All properties supplied under contract must comply with all planning and other regulations set by the relevant local authority. NASS is responsible for monitoring the performance of Clearsprings Management Ltd. In particular all properties supplied by the company under contract to NASS will be inspected to ensure they meet the specification laid down in the contract. The contract also includes performance measures which the company is expected to show that it is meeting. NASS can impose financial penalties if either a property is shown to have defects or the company is not meeting its performance targets. I am not aware of any major problems with accommodation provided by Clearsprings Management Ltd. The company is meeting the terms of its contract with NASS and any problems with their accommodation are rectified within agreed timescales.

Asylum Seekers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have completed all stages of their application and are awaiting removal from the country; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The requested information is not held centrally and could only be obtained through examination of individual case files thereby incurring a disproportionate cost.
	The demarcation between the end of the appeals process and the beginning of the removal process is not clear-cut. When asylum appeals have been dismissed, the scope for further legal challenge undoubtedly acts as an obstacle to removal, although by no means the only one. Other limiting factors in the removals process include difficulties in securing travel documentation and legal issues arising from judicial and human rights reviews.
	There are measures in place to counter these barriers and subsequently expedite removal.

Asylum Seekers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time between completion of all stages of the asylum seeking process and notice of removal being issued was in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the time between completion of the asylum process and the issue of a removal notice may only be obtained by examination of individual case files at disproportionate costs.
	Different timescales apply for issuing a notice of removal following completion of the asylum process, according to the type of case. For example the timescale will differ for detained cases under the expedited appeals process, those on monthly reporting, and others whose determinations are served to the last known address.
	The initial programme of work to serve appeals in person has now been expanded nationally. The process allows for a six-week deadline for determinations to be served. Statistics are maintained for this particular workstream.
	The number of applications for judicial review that are specifically against removal directions is estimated at 30–35 a month. The opportunity to apply for Judicial Review, is usually sufficient to cause arrangements issued on more than one occasion.

Asylum Seekers

Michael Howard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his oral answer of 2 December 2002, Official Report, column 616, to the Member for Dover (Mr. Prosser), if he will withdraw his proposal to use the former police station in Shorncliffe road, Folkestone as a 24-hour reporting centre for asylum seekers.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 5 December 2002
	I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the reply I gave on 5 December 2002, Official Report, column 972W. There are no plans to withdraw the proposal for use of the former Police Station in Shorncliffe road, Folkestone, as a Home Office reporting centre, which forms part of a wider strategy to bring about improved contact with asylum seekers while their claims are under consideration and to control and counter illegal and clandestine entry into the United Kingdom.

Cannabis

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are held in prisons in England and Wales for cannabis-related offences; and how many people were received into prisons in England and Wales in 2001 for cannabis-related offences.

Hilary Benn: Data on the number of people sentenced to immediate custody for drug offences involving cannabis are shown in the table.
	
		Number of persons sentenced to immediate custody at all courts for cannabis offences which can be separately identified, England and Wales 1996 to 2000(28)
		
			   Sentenced to immediate custody  
			 Offence description Statute 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000(29) 
		
		
			 Production or being concerned in production of a controlled drug (cannabis) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, sections 4(2) and 6(2) 178 233 216 206 156 
			 Supplying or offering (or being concerned in) to supply a controlled drug (cannabis) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, section 4(3) 628 650 656 573 405 
			 Having possession of a controlled drug (cannabis) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, section 5(2), as amended by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, section 157, schedule 8, part II 204 268 410 451 361 
			 Having possession of a controlled drug (cannabis) with intent to supply Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, section 5(3) 983 1,129 1,284 1,112 808 
			 Permitting premises to be used for unlawful purposes (cannabis) Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, section 8 17 18 27 25 9 
		
	
	(28) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(29) Staffordshire Police Force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates' courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.

Child Abuse

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the prevalence of child abuse in the home within different categories of family configuration and marital status;
	(2)  what research into the prevalence of child abuse in the home has been funded by Central Government in the last five years; and which of these studies break down their results by family configuration and marital status.

Hilary Benn: Central Government have funded or directly undertaken several research studies into different aspects of child abuse in the last five years, but none specifically into the issue of prevalence within the home.
	With regard to family configuration, a three-year study, jointly funded by the Home Office and the University of Birmingham, looked at the issue of repeated abuse during childhood (Hamilton and Browne, 2000). The index sample consisted of 400 children referred to police child protection units. The vast majority (91 per cent.) lived with their biological mother, 44 per cent. with their biological father and 39 per cent. with both natural parents. However, the study did not indicate the marital status of the relationship or the presence of a step-parent.

Civil Contingency Planning

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funds have been allocated for the next financial year to cover CBW civil contingency planning in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: holding answer 3 December 2002
	Several Departments have responsibilities relating to management of the consequences of chemical and biological attacks, and these Departments are obliged to plan for carrying out those responsibilities. Like all civil contingencies work, this planning is part of Departments' mainstream activity and spending. The different elements of the response to a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) incident are well co-ordinated and are regularly exercised to ensure their effectiveness.
	My right hon. Friend (John Denham), Minister of State in the Home Office, is responsible for co-ordinating efforts to improve the United Kingdom's ability to respond to CBRN attacks, and is supported in this by the Home Office CRBN Team.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 14 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. Amjed Abu-Jazar.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 6 December 2002,

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 25 September from the right hon. Member Manchester, Gorton, with regard to the National Asylum Support Service.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 4 December 2002.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 14 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mihai Tudoreslu.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 4 December 2002,

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 16 October from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. Inder Kavr Singh Taz.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 6 December 2002,

Criminal Injuries

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the consequences of the case of R (H) v Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

Hilary Benn: The Home Office was not a party to this action, which was brought against the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Under the terms of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme approved by Parliament, the CICA and the complementary, independent Appeals Panel are exclusively responsible for the administration of the scheme, the interpretation of the scheme rules and the determination of individual applications. Ministers do not comment on, or intervene in, the administering bodies' handling of individual cases.
	However, I understand from the CICA that they have not yet received a copy of the judgment in writing. They will decide what action might be appropriate when they have had a chance to consider the written judgment in detail, and whether there are wider issues for the overall running of the scheme in which the Home Department needs to be involved.

Criminal Records Bureau

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will write to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam regarding the Criminal Records Bureau.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 3 December 2002
	I am sorry for the delay in responding to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam, and I will be writing to him shortly.

Custody Plus

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likely impact of custody plus on the number of people sentenced to a period of imprisonment of under 12 months in each of the next five years.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 2 December 2002
	Final decisions have not yet been made about when the sentencing reforms in the Criminal Justice Bill—including custody plus—will be implemented.
	In modelling the potential impact of the new sentences, it has been assumed that the number of offenders receiving custody plus under the new framework will be broadly similar to the numbers of offenders sentenced to imprisonment of under 12 months now but that a small number of those offenders currently receiving sentences of under 12 months would receive sentences of over 12 months in the new framework, while some would receive community sentences. In addition we have assumed that a quarter of those currently receiving sentences of between one and three months would receive custody minus. The Government will encourage sentencers to use penalties other than custody wherever appropriate.

Domestic Violence

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the study that considered expanding Victim Support's helpline to 24 hours, referred to in Annex 1 of the joint Home Office/Women's Unit publication, XLiving Without Fear: An Integrated Approach to Tackling Violence Against Women.

Hilary Benn: Staff and volunteers manning Victim Support's Victim Support line provide support and information to anyone affected by crime. The phone lines are open from 9 am–9 pm Monday to Friday, 9 am–7 pm weekends, and 9 am–5pm on bank holidays. Calls are charged at local rates and are confidential.
	A study of calls to the Victim Support line has not provided evidence to suggest that there is a high volume of callers attempting to call the helpline outside the hours that it is already available.

Drug Testing (Prisoners)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to introduce mandatory drug testing for prison inmates on reception.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 4 December 2002
	Reception testing is currently available under the mandatory drug testing programme.

Drug Treatment Orders

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug treatment and testing orders have been issued; at what cost; and how many of the orders have been successfully completed.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 2 December 2002
	The workload information required is provided in the table:
	
		
			 Number of Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs) Issued between 1 October 2000—31 October 2002(30) Orders completed at 31 October 2002) The number of orders revoked for non-compliance. Current caseload (at 31 October 2002) Orders revoked for other reasons 
		
		
			 9,510 1,041 3,794 (31)4,273 402 
		
	
	(30) Latest date for which figures are available
	(31) Note this figure does not incoude the caseload from the pilots.
	The average cost of a drug treatment and testing order is approximately #6,000.
	The current drop-out rate for non-compliance at 39 per cent. is not unexpectedly high. The DTTO is a tough and demanding community sentence that is aimed at serious problem drug misusers who commit crime to fund their habit. It was expected, given the intensity of the order, that a number of offenders would fail to last the course. The evidence suggests that for those who complete the order, their reduced levels of crime and drugs misuse are largely sustained over time.

Drugs Trade

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking in conjunction with other EU countries to curtail the trade in narcotics.

Bob Ainsworth: The United Kingdom (UK) has a strategy to counter drug trafficking through end-to-end enforcement policies, concentrating on class A drugs as the drugs which cause greatest harm. In doing this we work closely with other European Union (EU) countries in preventing drugs from entering both the EU and the UK. We have drug liaison officers in most EU member states and have provided assistance to EU candidate countries in their development of drug strategies and enforcement capabilities. We are planning to post drug liaison officers to some of these countries too.
	The UK played a major role in the mid-term review of the EU Drugs Action Plan, which sets out the EU Drug Strategy. The review concluded that there is a need for more concerted action at EU level on the most significant drugs and this should be done to tighter deadlines. It makes clear the need for continuing work in Afghanistan to eliminate the poppy crop, an area in which the UK has been co-ordinating international efforts.
	The UK has co-sponsored with other member states an EU Framework Decision on joint investigation teams, which provides a formal basis for closer co-operation between EU member states' criminal investigation authorities. The UK is also pushing hard for an agreement on a Framework Decision which will establish common definitions for offences and penalties for trafficking drugs and precursor chemicals in the EU.
	Information and analysed intelligence on drug trafficking and related money laundering is collated and provided by Europol which acts in support of EU
	member states' law enforcement agencies.

Hepatitis C

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake a study of the proportion of prisoners who are positive for hepatitis C (a) on reception and (b) on discharge.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 4 December 2002
	The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) undertook an unlinked, anonymised survey of the prevalence of blood borne viruses among prisoners in England in 1997–98. This indicated that nine per cent. of adult men, 11 per cent. of women and 0.6 per cent. of male young offenders had evidence of previous exposure to Hepatitis C. The need for further studies in this area is kept under review.

Khawaja Badar Rauf

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to make a decision in the case of Khawaja Badar Rauf (IND reference number R341351); and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: I wrote to my hon. Friend on 5 December 2002.

Opioid Addiction

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if he will update Prison Service Order 3550 to take account of advances in the treatment of opioid addiction with buprenorphine;
	(2)  in how many prisons buprenorphine is made available for opioid substitution treatment.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 4 December 2002
	Prison Service Order 3550 introduced a new Prison Service Standard for Clinical Services for Substance Misusers. This already provides that, as new evidence becomes available on the chemical management of detoxification or abstinence, establishments should develop further treatment guidelines which are in line with those available in the national health service (NHS).
	Buprenorphine is included in treatment protocols, developed in conjunction with the NHS, at six Prison Service establishments. This broadly reflects the extent of its current usage in the community.

Osama bin Laden

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take over the circulation of a letter purporting to be written by Osama bin Laden on a UK website operated by an individual, details of whom have been supplied to him; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: I have been in close touch with the relevant police and security authorities, about the work they have undertaken surveilling, monitoring and evaluating evidence that might be used in any prosecution. As my hon. Friend knows, the detailed operational functions lie with those authorities. Decisions on prosecutions lie with the Crown Prosecution Service. I have always made it clear that those who step over the line will be prosecuted.

Outreach Programmes

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding from his Department has been provided to Outreach programmes for young offenders provided by ACFA in the financial year 2001–02; what will be provided in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 25 November 2002
	The Youth Justice Board, funded by the Home Office, paid #600,000 in 2001–02 for work done in 2000–01 by the Army Cadet Force Association's Outreach programme. The Home Office have committed #60,000 for 2002–03 and subject to satisfactory performance plan to contribute #60,000 in 2003–04. No payment is planned for 2004–05.

Paedophiles

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to propose amendments to the law to increase the maximum sentence for paedophiles convicted of abusing children; what measures are in place to ensure that police have the details of known paedophiles in an area where a child has gone missing; what proposals he has to ensure that internet service providers that allow paedophile web sites to operate on their systems are prosecuted; how much has been spent on combating internet child exploitation since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The criminal law is a devolved matter for Scotland and recent proposals for changes to the law in England and Wales are different from those in Scotland.
	For offences committed in Scotland, the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill will increase the maximum penalties available to the courts to 10 years for taking and distributing indecent images of children and to five years for possession, (which are both offences under-the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982). The Bill will also implement certain of the recommendations arising out of the recent report of the Expert Panel on Sex Offending, chaired by Lady Cosgrove. The Executive is committed to tackling all forms of child abuse and keeps this area of the law under review.
	In England and Wales, recent proposals in the Government command paper XProtecting the Public" outlined our plans for comprehensive legislative reform of sex offences. Protection for children will be strengthened by proposed new offences of unlawful adult sexual activity with a child, familial sexual abuse of a child, sexual grooming and commercial sexual exploitation of a child, alongside the non-consensual offences of rape and sexual assault, among others. The proposed penalties for these offences, which in many cases are higher than penalties for existing offences, will clearly demonstrate the abhorrence with which society views sexual activity with children. Legislation to implement these proposals is planned for the New Year.
	In answer to your second point, the Sex Offenders Act 1997, which applies to the whole of the UK, places requirements on sex offenders who have been cautioned, convicted or found guilty by reason of insanity in respect of sex offences against children and other serious sex offences. Offenders convicted of a relevant offence must report to a police station prescribed by regulations within three days of the date of their conviction, caution etc. or their release from prison, and notify the police of their name (and any aliases), home address and date of birth. They are also required to notify any changes to their details within 14 days. Failure to comply is a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.
	The Sex Offenders Act applies to sex offenders cautioned, convicted or found guilty by reason of insanity after 1997. Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, when the police consider that a sex offender has behaved in a way that gives reasonable cause to believe that it is necessary to protect the public from serious harm from him, they can apply to a court for a Sex Offender Order to be made. The order will place restrictions upon his behaviour and activities and requires the offender to 'register' with the police for the duration of the order. An order lasts a minimum of five years and can be indefinite.
	In the event that a child is abducted, the Government welcomes the pilot scheme based on the Amber Alert system used by some states in America, to try and ensure the safe return of the child. It was launched on 14 November and is known as 'Child Rescue—Sussex Police'. It involves a joint effort by police, the media and the public. Its intention is to notify the general public that a child has been taken, so they look out for the child, the abductor or any vehicle used in the abduction. They then report any relevant information to the police.
	Decisions on taking prosecutions against internet service providers are a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. An internet service provider (ISP) which knows of the presence of an indecent image of a child on their system and does not remove or disable access to it expeditiously on becoming aware of it, would be at risk of prosecution under the Protection of Children Act 1978. The internet industry funds the Internet Watch Foundation to assess images which have been referred to it and notify ISPs and the police of those that are illegal. The Foundation also provides its members with a list of newsgroups which should not be carried because they contain or appear to offer indecent images of children. These arrangements apply across the UK as a whole.
	Operational decisions on allocation of police resources to combating child exploitation rest with police authorities and chief officers and no central records exist to determine how many cases have been investigated or the resources allocated to them. The new National Policing Plan reinforces the recommendation in the Joint Chief Inspectors' Report on Arrangements to Safeguard Children that police forces and authorities should review the role, remit, location and status of child protection units to ensure that child protection is dealt with to a consistently high standard. We have also set up a National High Tech Crime Unit within the National Crime Squad to provide additional support to local forces in investigating the most technically sophisticated crimes, including internet child protection. As well as policing resources we have worked with industry and child protection organisations through our Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet to tackle this issue, for example producing Codes of Practice and running public awareness campaigns targeting children and their parents.
	Combating the exploitation of children by offenders who use the internet to facilitate the abuse, is an integral part of the work of the police in tackling child sexual exploitation. The Government have provided specific resources for the National High Tech Crime Unit but this is not broken down across the different areas of their work.

Paedophiles

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures the Government are taking to find the suspected paedophiles at large whose details were given to the police six months ago.

Hilary Benn: Police forces across the UK are prioritising and tracing e-mail addresses for investigation, assisted by the National Crime Squad.
	It is not appropriate for me to provide more significant details of what are, and will be for some time, ongoing investigations.
	Ministers are monitoring the law enforcement response and the progress of this investigation.

Parenting Orders

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parenting orders have been imposed, broken down by each constabulary, in each year since their introduction.

Hilary Benn: 2,488 Parenting Orders were made between September 1998, when piloting started, and March 2002. The Orders were available nationally from June 2000. We have the breakdown by constabulary area for the year April 2001 to March 2002, which is shown in table.
	
		
			 Constabulary Parenting Orders 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 17 
			 Bedfordshire 15 
			 Cambridgeshire 22 
			 Cheshire 1 
			 Cleveland 45 
			 Cumbria 4 
			 Derbyshire 8 
			 Devon and Cornwall 5 
			 Dorset 9 
			 Durham 16 
			 Dyfed/Powys 11 
			 Essex 39 
			 Gloucestershire 1 
			 Greater Manchester 200 
			 Gwent 10 
			 Hampshire 103 
			 Hertfordshire 24 
			 Humberside 8 
			 Kent 34 
			 Lancashire 20 
			 Leicestershire 50 
			 Lincolnshire 2 
			 Merseyside 12 
			 Metropolitan 165 
			 Norfolk 29 
			 North Wales 25 
			 North Yorkshire 3 
			 Northamptonshire 0 
			 Northumbria 85 
			 Nottinghamshire 9 
			 South Wales 21 
			 South Yorkshire 17 
			 Staffordshire 12 
			 Suffolk 36 
			 Surrey 1 
			 Sussex 27 
			 Thames Valley 22 
			 Warwickshire 0 
			 West Mercia 21 
			 West Midlands 45 
			 West Yorkshire 39 
			 Wiltshire 3 
			 Total 1,216

Persistent Offenders

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persistent offenders he estimates there are in England and Wales aged (a) under 18 years, (b) 18 to 20 years and (c) 21 years and over.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 9 December 2002
	Recent data from the Police National Computer shows that: in England and Wales, there is a group of about 6,600 persistent offenders aged 18–20, and 26,800 aged 21and over; and that about 4,800offenders aged under 18 years had been convicted of six or more recordable offences in the previous 12 months.

Police and CPS

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he plans to take to improve the integration of police and CPS functions.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 2 December 2002
	There has already been considerable progress towards the co-location of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in criminal justice units. Our aim is that all criminal justice areas should have co-located units by April 2004. Such co-location means improvements to the way in which cases are prepared for court, and have led to good working relationships; in which advice can be sought quickly on more difficult cases, and have also resulted in considerable savings in casefile preparation. Such a set-up will also support the new arrangements in which the CPS take over from the police responsibility for charging. The evidence of piloting these arrangements is that there are improved working relationships between the police and the CPS and more focused investigations. Ready access to legal advice and improved understanding means that cases, which previously would not have resulted in a charge, will now be taken to court. The outcome is fewer discontinued cases and earlier guilty pleas. The Criminal Justice Bill contains provision to put these arrangements on a statutory basis.

Prisoners

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures the Government are taking to rehabilitate prisoners who are drug addicts.

Hilary Benn: Her Majesty's Prison Service has in place a framework to address the needs of prisoners with low, moderate and severe drug misuse problems. This includes detoxification services which are available in all local and remand prisons, a drug service known as CARATs (counselling, assessment, referral, advice and throughcare) and voluntary drug testing which are both available across the prison estate. There is also a range of intensive treatment programmes available in 60 prisons.

Prisoners

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who have taken the Alpha Course in prisons have re-offended.

Hilary Benn: This information is not available and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what emergency accommodation he plans to use to ease prison overcrowding;
	(2)  when the next batch of new prison places will become available; and how many there will be;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the use of police cells to house those (a) sentenced and (b) remanded in custody by the courts;
	(4)  what plans he has for the expansion of places in Her Majesty's prisons;
	(5)  what the total (a) operational capacity, (b) prison population and (c) certified accommodation capacity in prisons is.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 2 December 2002
	As at 27 November 2002, the useable operational capacity of the Prison Service was 72,684; the total prison population was 72,500 (excluding 160 prisoners held in police cells) and the in use certified normal accommodation was 64,608.
	Following the unexpected rise in the prison population, the Prison Service is using police cells for keeping both remand and sentenced prisoners in safe custody. The number of police cells used in this way (under Operation Safeguard) peaked at 448 on the night of 29 October 2002. Since then, new accommodation has been brought into operation, which has enabled the Prison Service to reduce its use of police cells.
	By 27 November 2002, the number of prisoners being held in police cells had fallen to 160.
	By providing additional capacity, along with sentencing reform and other measures to contain the rise in the prison population, the Government aim to limit prison overcrowding to manageable levels agreed with the Prison Service.
	We have recently announced that #60 million will be made available to provide 740 places at existing prisons by March 2004. This is in addition to funding from the 2002 budget to provide an extra 2,320 places this year.
	We have also approved Prison Service plans for two new prisons, which will provide 1,290 places by 2004–05. The first is scheduled to open in the summer of 2004 at Ashford (near Heathrow) and will be a female prison of 450 places. An 840-place prison for 360 female and 480 male prisoners is scheduled to open at Peterborough in Cambridgeshire in the summer of 2005.

Sexual Offences

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a judicial direction that consent means free agreement.

Hilary Benn: Consultation with the Judicial Studies Board has confirmed our view that it would be inappropriate to incorporate a standard direction on consent in statute because the exact direction in any particular case will need to vary according to the individual circumstances.
	Once the new sex offences legislation is in force, the Judicial Studies Board will be invited to consider whether there needs to be a specimen direction covering the various provisions relating to consent and, if so, what the appropriate terms of such a direction might be.

Sexual Offences

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the list of reverse presumption situations in the White Paper Protecting the Public at paragraph 31 will be exhaustive.

Hilary Benn: The list of circumstances in which it will be presumed that consent is most unlikely to have been present will be exhaustive and will be clearly defined in the Sex Offences Bill. It will not be possible to amend it other than by means of further primary legislation.
	However there are clearly numerous other situations in which consent will not be present and the alleged offence will be proveable in court. The list is confined to those circumstances where prima facie the position is so clear that it is justified to provide a rebuttable presumption that consent was not present.

Sexual Offences

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many sexual offences against children were reported in each of the last ten years, broken down by category of offence; and what proportion of these resulted in conviction;
	(2)  how many people have been convicted of sexual offences against children in each of the last ten years; and what percentage of the population has been convicted of a sexual offence against a child;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the average number of children abused by each paedophile convicted in the last five years.

Hilary Benn: The available information, relating to recorded crime and persons convicted in England and in Wales for the years 1991 to 2000 (2000/01 for recorded crime), relates to those offences where the age of the victim is identified by the offence, Statistics for 2001 will be available shortly. Information is not held centrally on the number of children abused by each paedophile convicted, nor on the proportion of the population with convictions for sexual offences against children. Information is not held centrally on the number of children abused by each paedophile convicted, nor on the proportion of the population with convictions for sexual offences against children.
	
		Notifiable offences recorded by the police and persons convicted at all courts of sexual offences against young people where the age of victim is identified by the offence, 1991 to 2000–01 England and Wales– Number of offences and number of persons Recorded Crime
		
			 Offences 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998–99 1 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Indictable Offences 
			 Sexual offences 
			 Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Buggery by a male of a male under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 17 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged 16 to 17 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Buggery by a male with a female under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 17 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a female aged 16 or 17 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Indecent assault on male person under 16 years 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 18 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Gross indecency by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged under 18 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Rape of a female aged under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Rape of a male aged under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Attempted rape of a female aged under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Attempted rape of a male aged under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Indecent assault on a female under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13 315 253 268 275 178 171 148 153 181 155 
			 Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 1,949 1,563 1,433 1,446 1,260 1,261 1,112 1,135 1,270 1,237 
			 Incest with a girl under 13 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with firl under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc. 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Abduction of unmarried girl under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Abduction of unmarried girl under 18 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			 Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under 1,147 1,158 1,280 1,512 1,287 1,215 1,269 1,293 1,365 1,336 
			 Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under 1,147 1,158 1,280 1, 512 1,287 1,215 1,269 1,203 1,365 1,336 
			  
			 Other indictable offences   
			 Take or make indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			  
			 Summary Offences   
			 Possession of an indecent photograph, or pseudo-photograph of a child 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 
			  
			 Total for England and Wales 3,411 2,974 2,991 3,233 2,725 2,647 2,529 2,581 2,816 2,728 
		
	
	
		Notifiable offences recorded by the police and persons convicted at all courts of sexual offences against young people where the age of victim is identified by the offence, 1991 to 2000–01 England and Wales—Number of offences and number of persons Persons convicted 2 
		
			 Offences 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998–99 1 1999–00 2000–01 
		
		
			 Indictable Offences 
			 Sexual offences 
			 Buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal 168 163 136 135 85 5 
			 Attempt to commit buggery with a boy under the age of 16 or with a woman or an animal 26 17 20 16 14 2 
			 Buggery by a male of a male under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 29 66 70 57 57 51 
			 Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged 16 or 17 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 2 3 6 7 1 5 
			 Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged 16 to 17 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 1 1 1  
			 Buggery by a male with a female under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 7 17 21 23 13 13 
			 Buggery by a male aged 21 or over with a female aged 16 or 17 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 2 2  1  1 
			 Buggery by a male aged 18 to 20 with a female aged 16 or 17 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 1  
			 Indecent assault on male person under 16 years 351 363 293 324 339 355 365 342 337 299 
			 Gross indecency by a male aged 21 or over with a male aged under 18 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 11 11 17 18 10 11 
			 Gross indecency by a male aged 18 to 20 with a male aged under 18 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 —   2
			 Rape of a female aged under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 113 210 198 221 247 206 
			 Rape of a male aged under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 2 13 24 15 37 24 
			 Attempted rape of a female aged under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 21 35 52 41 44 32 
			 Attempted rape of a male aged under 16 3 — 3 — 3 — 3 — 2 2 5 14 7 2 
			 Indecent assault on a female under 16 1,469 1,331 1,205 1,355 1,446 1,597 1,627 1,505 1,491 1,353 
			 Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13 105 89 76 64 81 54 44 55 52 53 
			 Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16 223 218 170 205 203 207 199 225 189 214 
			 Incest with a girl under 13 68 52 51 35 21 19 19 19 13 12 
			 Inciting girl under 16 to have incestuous sexual intercourse 3 3 1 4 5  3  1 2 
			 Householder permitting unlawful sexual intercourse with firl under 16 1 3 6 2 3  1 2   
			 Person responsible for girl under 16 causing or encouraging her prostitution etc. 2  1  3 1 1  1  
			 Male aged 21 or over procuring or attempting to procure a male under 18 of gross indecency with another male 3 3 3 3 2 3 6 7 3 4 
			 Abduction of unmarried girl under 16 8 12 6 9 6 3 1 4 1 3 
			 Abduction of unmarried girl under 18  1   1  
			 Gross indecency with boys aged 14 and under 91 99 80 77 56 53 56 61 73 58 
			 Gross indecency with girls aged 14 and under 128 129 123 112 99 111 153 144 135  
			  
			 Other indictable offences   
			 Take or make indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children 39 44 37 27 44 69 103 82 139 218 
			  
			 Summary Offences   
			 Possession of an indecent photograph, or pseudo-photograph of a child 43 30 35 36 37 79 81 105 99 77 
			  
			 Total for England and Wales 2,728 2,553 2,241 2,401 2,635 2,916 3,011 2,958 2,962 2,774 
		
	
	1 New Home Office rules for counting and classifying crime were introduced in April 1998: information on notifiable offences is presented on a financial year basis from that date.
	2 Data are on the principal offences basis.
	3 Counts are not collected centrally for these detailed offences.

Women Prisoners

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are in prison for (a) drug offences, (b) drug trafficking offences and (c) supply offences; and of these groups of women, what percentage (i) have dependent children, (ii) are UK nationals and (iii) are non-UK nationals giving countries of nationality.

Hilary Benn: Information on the number of women in prison for drug supply offences, unlawful import/export and other drugs offences, and the nationality of these prisoners, is contained in the table.
	Statistics on whether women currently in prison for drugs offences have dependent children is not available.
	Previous Home Office research (Caddie & Crisp, Imprisoned women and mothers, 1994, Home Office Research Study 162), found that 61 per cent. of women in prison were mothers of children aged under 18 and/or were pregnant. 28 per cent. of sentenced mothers in this study were in prison for drugs offences.
	
		Imprisoned women England and Wales 31 October 2002
		
			 Nationality Number Unlawful import/export Drugs supply Other drugs offences 
		
		
			 Antarctica 1 — — 1 
			 Australia 1 1 — — 
			 Bangladesh 1 — 1 — 
			 Barbados 1 1 — — 
			 Belgium 5 5 — — 
			 Brazil 10 9 — 1 
			 Canada 2 2 — — 
			 Columbia 6 3 1 2 
			 Dominican Republic 1 1 — — 
			 Ecuador 1 — — 1 
			 France 7 5 2 — 
			 Germany 4 3 — 1 
			 Germany 5 5 — — 
			 Ghana 5 4 1 — 
			 Greece 1 — 1 — 
			 Grenada 2 2 — — 
			 Guyana 3 3 — — 
			 India 4 2 — 2 
			 Irish Republic 4 3 1 — 
			 Italy 2 2 — — 
			 Jamaica 459 397 35 27 
			 Kenya 2 2 — — 
			 Latvia 1 1 — — 
			 Liberia 1 1 — — 
			 Montserrat 2 2 — — 
			 Netherlands 21 20 — 1 
			 Netherlands Antilles 3 3 — — 
			 Nigeria 17 15 1 1 
			 Not known 9 9 — — 
			 Pakistan 1 1 — — 
			 Peru 1 1 — — 
			 Poland 1 1 — — 
			 Portugal 7 7 — — 
			 Singapore 1 1 — — 
			 South Africa 22 21 1 — 
			 Spain 12 12 — — 
			 St Christopher and Nevis 1 1 — — 
			 St Kitts and Nevis 2 2 — — 
			 St Lucia 1 1 — — 
			 Stateless 1 1 — — 
			 Surinam 1 1 — — 
			 Sweden 2 2 — — 
			 Switzerland 1 1 — — 
			 Thailand 1 1 — — 
			 Tongo 1 1 — — 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 3 3 — — 
			 United Kingdom 842 283 320 239 
			 United States of America 9 9 — — 
			 Venezuela 4 4 — — 
			 Vietnam 1 — — 1 
			 Virgin Islands 1 1 — — 
			 Zimbabwe 1 1 — — 
			 Total 1,497 857 364 277

Women Prisoners

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are held in prisons in England and Wales, broken down by the offences they are held for.

Hilary Benn: The requested data are shown in the following table. Female prisoners held in prisons in England and Wales on the 31 October 2002, broken down by offence.
	
		
			 Offence Group Number of female prisoners 
		
		
			 Total 4,427 
			 Violence against the person 695 
			 Sexual offences 21 
			 Burglary 305 
			 Robbery 481 
			 Theft and handling 726 
			 Fraud and forgery 133  
			 Drugs offences 1,497 
			 Other offences 460 
			 Offence not recorded 108

Women Prisoners

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were received into prison in each of the last three years, broken down by offences.

Hilary Benn: The number of women first received into prisons in England and Wales over the last three years by offence type is given in the table.
	
		First receptions of females into prison service establishments in England and Wales by offence group
		
			 Offence Group 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Total 10,982 10,752 12,164 
			 Violence against the person 1,126 1,182 1,318 
			 Sexual offences 28 37 29 
			 Burglary 468 426 527 
			 Robbery 254 311 395 
			 Theft and handling 4,135 4,156 4,587 
			 Fraud and forgery 673 619 678 
			 Drugs offences 1,275 1,196 1,452 
			 Other offences 2,063 1,934 2,181 
			 Offence not recorded 958 891 997

Young Offenders

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department will take following the High Court decision that the Children Act 1989 applies to children held in prison; what assessment his Department has made of the (a) additional training required of prison officers and (b) additional costs to the Prison Service; what time schedule his Department is working towards to implement the High Court ruling in prisons and young offender institutions across England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Court upheld and endorsed the Prison Service's policy in relation to juveniles in custody. One sentence in its policy, which was to be changed regardless of the outcome of the judgment, has been found to be wrong. This will now be changed in the context of the judgment. There is undoubtedly a need for more consistency in the provision for young people across the prison estate and work is under way to ensure that this happens. There has been considerable investment across the juvenile estate and resources have been put into all establishments; however, these funds must be allocated according to specific needs and priorities.
	The Prison Service has already in place a Child Protection Protocol through which Governors have been required to introduce arrangements to protect children from significant harm, in line with its wish to reflect the principles of the Children Act 1989 and safeguard the welfare of those in its custody. The Court's judgment has found that it is for local authorities to co-operate with the Prison Service in carrying out their duties, subject to the necessary requirements of imprisonment.

Young Offenders Institutions

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been held in segregation cells in each of the prisons in the juvenile estate since April 2000; and of those, how many have been held for (a) longer than seven and (b) 28 days.

Hilary Benn: The information is not held centrally and I shall therefore write to my hon. Friend when it is available.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Bain Inquiry

George Galloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the remuneration and expenses paid to each of the members of the Bain Inquiry into the firefighters; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Sir George Bain does not wish to be remunerated for his role as chairman of the independent review of the fire service. Sir Anthony Young is being remunerated at a rate equivalent to the daily rate for members of the Central Arbitration Committee. The employers of Sir Michael Lyons are being reimbursed at his usual rate for his time spent working on the review. All three members have their reasonable expenses reimbursed in accordance with the arrangements which normally apply for such inquiries and reviews.

Bain Inquiry

George Galloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was to public funds of the Bain Inquiry into the firefighters' wage claims; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The independent review has not yet completed its work so it is not possible to give a figure for the total costs involved in the review.

British Fire Service

Mike Wood: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the 2001 Pathfinder report into the British Fire Service will be published.

Nick Raynsford: The Fire Cover Review Task Group agreed the text of its final report on the pathfinder trials at the end of September, 2002. The Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council will consider the report at a future meeting. If the council endorses the report, it will be published.

Affordable Housing (Chesham and Amersham)

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish (a) the current value of the liabilities for pensions of the Fire Service in payment and other liabilities in respect of service to date, (b) the amount by which it would increase if firefighters' pay were immediately to increase by 10 per cent. more than the rate of earnings growth allowed for and (c) the annual cost of (b), if that were spread over the expected working lifetime of current firefighters; what financial and demographic assumptions were used to make these estimates; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The Firefighters' Pension Scheme is administered locally by or on behalf of fire authorities and the information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Brownfield Land

Oona King: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what targets the Government are introducing, and over what time, to reduce the quantity of brown field land in the UK; and what steps the Government are taking to relax regulatory and fiscal barriers that prevent property developers from acquiring and redeveloping brown field land.

Tony McNulty: The best way to reduce the quantity of brown field land is to build on it. The Government have met their target of 60 per cent. of new dwellings on brown field land and intend to maintain at least this level.

Concealed Telephone Masts

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many concealed phone masts there are, ranked by county.

Tony McNulty: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 28 November 2002, Official Report, columns 383–84W, to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles).

Fire Service

James Paice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how many hours retained firefighters are required to work in order to receive the annual retaining fee;
	(2)  what the average annual income received by a retained firefighter was during 2001–02 as (a) a leading firefighter with 10 years' service and (b) a firefighter with 2 years' service;
	(3)  what the average number of hours was for which individual retained firefighters were paid the hourly rate during 2001–02.

Nick Raynsford: To receive the full annual retaining fee a retained firefighter must be on call at all times. Where the retained member has enrolled on conditions requiring attendance only during limited periods, the retaining fee may be reduced proportionately. Payment is not directly related to hours worked.
	Information on the average income received by retained firefighters and the average number of hours for which individuals were paid the hourly rate is not held centrally, and could provided only at disproportionate cost.

Fire Service

James Paice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the impact on the annual income of (a) a retained leading firefighter with 10 years' service and (b) a retained firefighter with 2 years' service, of the arrangements for the retained service pay, as set out in the fire employers statement of 13 November.

Nick Raynsford: As a result of the offer set out in the Fire Brigades Employer Circular of the 12 November the local government employers estimate that all firefighters, wholetime and retained, would have received an increase of 4 per cent. in November 2002. This would have been followed by an increase in the pay bill of 7 per cent. in November 2003, although the amount firefighters actually received would have depended on how much of the pay bill increase was used to reward some staff, for example, with special allowances. Due to changes in their allowances retained firefighters would have typically received 6.4 per cent. more than wholetime firefighters under the arrangements proposed.

Government Offices for the Regions (Staff)

Debra Shipley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many registered architects, planners and urban designers are employed in (a) each of the Government Offices for the Regions and (b) his Department.

Tony McNulty: 58 staff currently in post with Government offices have satisfied the requirements of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for membership, and include one dual qualified architect/planner. (East of England and West Midlands each have three, East Midlands five, North West six, Yorkshire and the Humber seven, South West and London each have eight, North East and South East each have nine.)
	Our latest information (Autumn 2002) shows that 24 staff within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have satisfied the requirements of the RTPI for professional membership.
	Information on staff with other professional qualifications is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. There are also 93 active inward secondments to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, many of whom have professional backgrounds.

Large Scale Voluntary Transfers

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to improve the large scale voluntary transfers process; and how many council properties will have their transfer finalised under the LSVT programme during 2002–03.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is reviewing the various methods available to authorities for meeting the decent home target, including large scale voluntary transfer of their housing. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects that up to 175,000 dwellings in England will transfer during the current financial year.

Local Government Finance Settlement

John Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if the increase in the council tax at standard spending in the local government finance settlement will be limited to the change in retail price index.

Christopher Leslie: The level of the assumed national council tax is determined by the national total for formula spending, the total of revenue support grant, the distributable amount of business rates and the council tax base.
	The increases from year to year in these figures, rather than any inflation assumption, are therefore what determine the increase in the assumed national council tax. Assumed national council tax is simply an assumption used in the distribution of grant; it is not a prediction of actual council tax.

Planning

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on changes he has made to the workings of the planning system by the update of PPG22.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently preparing the revised planning guidance on renewable energy (PPG22) following informal consultation with a number of interested parties. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends to issue the draft guidance in the new year for full public consultation. Until that time, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will not be detailing potential changes to the original.

Regional Assemblies

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria the Government will use to determine public support for regional assemblies;

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers elected regional assemblies will have to make changes to the delivery of public services.

Christopher Leslie: Elected regional assemblies will be responsible for strategic priorities rather than for direct service delivery. But they will add value to service delivery by bringing coherence to, and improving the delivery of, the large number of strategies and partnerships that have developed at the regional level. Assemblies will set the framework for their region and co-ordinate activity on issues such as economic development, planning, housing and transport. An assembly's block grant will allow it to allocate spending according to what it considers as priorities for that region.

Regional Assemblies

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether alternatives to elected regional assemblies will be offered as part of the consultation; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The Government are currently taking soundings to test the level of interest in each region in holding a referendum on establishing an elected assembly.
	Chapter 2 of the White Paper XYour Region, Your Choice" sets out the Government's proposals for strengthening all regions; these arrangements will therefore continue to apply in those regions which do not choose to establish elected assemblies.

Regional Assemblies

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what economic measures elected regional assemblies will be empowered to take.

Christopher Leslie: Chapter 4 of the White Paper, XYour Region, Your Choice" makes clear that improving the economic performance of its region will be at the heart of an elected regional assembly's objectives. This is reflected in the range of powers and functions for which elected assemblies will be responsible. In particular, they will be responsible for the Regional Development Agency in their region. They will also have a range of other responsibilities for regional economic development relating to business support, training and skills, and European programmes.
	Assemblies will be able to spend their block grant as they judge best, subject to agreeing a small number of targets covering their key responsibilities. Some additional funds will be available if an assembly meets or exceeds these targets. Elected assemblies will also be able to raise additional funds from a precept on the council tax and will have powers to borrow money, subject to certain limits.

Regional Assemblies

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for (a) a question in the referendum on regional assemblies and (b) further referendums, on the constitution of regional assemblies.

Christopher Leslie: Clause 2 of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill sets out the question to be asked in a referendum on regional assemblies. The Electoral Commission has a statutory duty to comment on the intelligibility of any referendum question, and on 25 November the commission announced that the question set out in the Bill meets its guidelines. The commission made some small but constructive suggestions for the wording of the preamble, which the Government will consider carefully and respond to in due course.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister intends that regions that do not have a referendum on establishing an elected assembly in the first instance should have another opportunity at a later date. In regions where a referendum results in a Xno" vote, the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill provides that a further referendum can be held after a period of at least five years has passed starting from the day on which the referendum was held.

Regional Co-ordination Unit

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the cost implications to (a) his Department and (b) other Departments of implementing the review of area-based initiatives by the Regional Co-ordination Unit; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Roche: Any costs which may arise in implementing the review of area based initiatives are expected to be offset by the savings which will arise from streamlining the administration of fewer funding streams. Those areas receiving support are also expected to benefit from a reduced bureaucratic overhead.

Urban Design Skills

Debra Shipley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to raise the level of urban design skills within the Government Offices for the regions.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made clear to the House in his statement on 18 July 2002, and subsequently in his address to the Urban Summit, that the quality urban design is a key element in delivering sustainable communities. It is recognised that there is a shortage of urban design skills across the public and private sectors. In the context of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Ministers' document, we will be looking at effective means of raising urban design skills.
	Through our support to the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) we are already actively encouraging improved understanding and awareness of the value of urban design. We expect the Commission to promote the highest standards of urban design and use its enabling and review roles to help develop skills and best practice in both the public and private sector.
	The Government endorse the XDesign Champion" model that is working well in Government Departments and some local authorities to improve the quality of design. Our XLiving Places: cleaner, safer, greener'' report published in October 2002 stated that, by April 2003, all Regional Development Agencies will be expected to have a Design Champion in place to help them achieve their objective to promote excellence in urban design. By April 2004 the Government would like to see all major agencies and non-departmental bodies follow suit. Copies of this document are available in Libraries of the House .

Young Runaways

Tim Loughton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he plans to take, following the publication of the Social Exclusion Unit's young runaways report, to tackle the issues of abuse at home and bullying that cause children to run away; and whether one of the proposed two flagship schemes will be based in West Sussex.

Barbara Roche: The Department of Health is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the action plan in the Social Exclusion Unit's report on young runaways.
	The action plan sets out a range of practical steps to prevent children and young people from running away and to tackle issues like abuse and bullying. Those steps include better information for schools and teachers, early identification of children and young people who might run away and the development of more effective family support services.
	The Green Paper on Children at Risk announced to Parliament by my right. hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 30 October 2002, Official Report, column 860, will look further at some of the wider issues that contribute to running away and that put children and young people at risk. The Green Paper will identify radical new options to improve services for children. It will cover all services which work with children and young people including social services, youth justice, as well as the role of schools, families and communities.
	No bids for runaways development projects were received from West Sussex.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Automated Credit Transfer

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the daily capacity is of the telephone helpline provided for claimants seeking advice on automatic credit transfer.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department's customer conversion centre and information line have in place service level agreements to deal with anticipated levels of contact from customers. The service level agreements will ensure that effective customer service is provided and any change in customer contact volumes will be managed.

Benefit Fraud

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many suspected benefit frauds have (a) been investigated and (b) resulted in a successful prosecution as a result of (i) submissions to the Targeting Fraud website and (ii) calls to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: The available information is in the tables.
	
		Targeting fraud website (launched May 2000)
		
			 Period Investigations completed Successful prosecutions 
		
		
			 1 May 2000 to 31 March 2001 184 0 
			 2001–02 673 4 
			 1 April 2002 to 31 October 2002 722 9 
		
	
	Full information on the number of investigations and successful prosecutions resulting from calls to the National Benefit Fraud Hotline is available only from April 2000.
	
		National benefit fraud hotline
		
			 Period Investigations completed Successful prosecutions 
		
		
			 2000–01 35,589 492 
			 2001–02 108,986 768 
			 1 April 2002 to 31 October 2002 58,592 432 
		
	
	Source:
	Fraud Information By Sector system

EU Employment Barriers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the informal barriers to employment for British workers in the EU.

Nick Brown: holding answer 2 December 2002
	The main informal barriers relate to such problems as language or culture and are therefore not readily solved. However, the UK Government take up individual cases where any barriers seem to be unreasonable, and intervenes where appropriate when cases come before the European Court of Justice.
	The Department has worked with the European Commission to help produce their communication of 28 February 2001 on XNew European Labour Markets, Open to All with Access for All" and have contributed to the subsequent House of Lords Select Committee investigation. We will continue to look to improve our understanding of this issue so that we can raise the employment opportunities available to all UK jobseekers.
	Free movement of people is one of the four freedoms within the internal market of the European Union. Within the free movement title of the EC Treaty, Article 39 states that free movement of workers Xshall be secured within the Community". This means that workers of the member states are free to accept offers of employment actually made in another member state, and to remain in another member state for the purposes of carrying out employment. However, Article 39 does not apply to employment in the public service.
	The main EU regulation giving effect to free movement rights for workers of EU member states is EEC Regulation 1612/68. This guarantees migrant workers equality of treatment with nationals of the host country in respect of:
	The right to take up an activity as an employed person;
	The right to negotiate and conclude an employment contract;
	Full and free access to the host country labour market;
	Assistance from public employment offices;
	Enlargement and recruitment conditions;
	Conditions of employment and conditions governing re-employment, social and tax advantages, vocational training, retraining, and clauses contained in collective or individual contracts of employment;
	Membership of trade unions and the exercise of rights attaching thereto;
	Housing; and
	Access of children to education and vocational training.
	The regulation guarantees, subject to certain conditions, the right of the migrant worker's family to live in the host country.
	Nevertheless, provided they fulfil their obligations under EU legislation, member states can and do place restrictions on the free movement rights of EU citizens. In particular, Article 39(3) of the EC Treaty allows member states in some circumstances to restrict the movement and residence of workers on the grounds of Xpublic policy, public security or public health".

Incapacity Benefit

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will simplify the procedures for the payment of Incapacity Benefit to councillors in receipt of councillors' allowances.

Nick Brown: The Incapacity Benefit rules recognise councillors' particular obligations and all work carried out in connection with their elected office is disregarded in deciding entitlement. Any allowances paid are taken into account only if they exceed the permitted work rules limit of #67.50 in any week.
	In March 2002, new guidance on the treatment of councillors' allowances was issued to decision makers. This simplifies procedures by allowing the averaging and estimation of expenses, thereby reducing the need for a weekly calculation.

Jobcentre Plus

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answers of 27 November 2002, Refs 82508, 82511 and 82513, if he will list the additional job entry target point scores which apply in respect of each client group in each of the 60 local authority areas referred to; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: holding answer 4 December 2002
	The job entry target point scores are helping Jobcentre Plus to achieve the objectives laid out in its Business Plan for 2002–03. One of the Agency's goals is to help people of working age in the most disadvantaged groups and areas to move closer to the labour market, compete effectively for, and remain in work.
	It is these groups and areas that have been given highest weight. Awarding additional points in this way gives extra incentives to build Jobcentre Plus performance in difficult labour markets and towards those people who are hardest to help back into the labour market.
	Details of the point scores are in the table.
	
		
			 Client Group Points per job entry 
		
		
			 Participants in the New Deal for Lone Parents 12 
			 Other jobless lone parents 12 
			 Participants in the New Deal for Disabled People 12 
			 Other people with disabilities receiving benefit(35) (other than those receiving Jobseeker's Allowance) 12 
			 Other jobless people receiving benefit(35)(other than those receiving Jobseeker's Allowance) 12 
			 Participants in the New Deal for people aged 50+ 8 
			 Participants in the New Deal for people aged 25+ 8 
			 Participants in the New Deal for Young People aged 18 to 24 8 
			 People helped into work through Employment Zones 8 
			 Other people with disabilities 8 
			 Other people who have been receiving Jobseeker's Allowance for six months or more. 8 
			 People who have been receiving Jobseeker's Allowance for up to six months 4 
			 Other Jobless people not claiming benefits 2 
			 People already employed, changing jobs 1 
			 Additional Points  
			 People receiving Jobseeker's Allowance who remain off Jobseeker's Allowance four weeks after being helped into work 1 
			 People living in 60 specified Local Authority areas. 2 
		
	
	(35) The benefits are: Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Bereavement Benefit and Invalid Care Allowance.

National Insurance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the basis for the calculation by his noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, of the amount of money saved by a typical married woman who opted to pay National Insurance contributions at the reduced rate.

Ian McCartney: My noble Friend quoted an illustrative example comparing what a married woman would have paid in full and reduced rate National Insurance contributions if she had earned around #4,000 in 1977 rising evenly to around #27,000 in 2002. The saving of #18,000 in this case is the total cash saving and has not been adjusted upward to take account of inflation over the period. The exact amount of savings any married woman will enjoy depends on her level of earnings because the amount of National Insurance contributions is calculated based on earnings.

New Deal

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people had benefits withdrawn for failing to accept all options under (a) New Deal for Young People, (b) New Deal 50 plus and (c) New Deal 25 plus.

Nick Brown: holding answer 26 November 2002
	New Deal 50 plus has always been a voluntary programme and so there are no benefit sanctions for not participating.
	Between January 1998 and September 2002, 64,106 sanctions, to withdraw any Jobseeker's Allowance in payment, had been imposed under the New Deal for Young People. Between April 1998 and June 2002, 21,607 sanctions to withdraw benefit had been imposed under the New Deal 25 plus. We record only the total number of sanctions imposed and not the number of people sanctioned. Some people are sanctioned more than once.

New Deal

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of entrants to New Deal for Young People were functionally illiterate in (a) its first year and (b) the latest period for which figures are available.

Nick Brown: holding answer 26 November 2002
	We estimate that at least 32 per cent. of all unemployed people have literacy, language and/or numeracy needs, which in part prevent them from improving their employability and finding secure work. Information is not available specifically on the level of illiteracy among entrants to the New Deal for Young People.
	Jobcentre Plus screens around 15,000 people a week for literacy and/or numeracy needs. Clients who need help with their literacy and/or numeracy can access job focused training to ensure they are able to develop the skills they need to find and retain work. From April 2001 to January 2002, more than 4,400 young people received basic skills help in the New Deal for Young People. In the same period 10,000 began basic skills training though other programmes or voluntary New Deals.

New Deal

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the improvements in employability of those on each New Deal; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: holding answer 26 November 2002
	The New Deals are delivering services tailored to meet the needs of individuals, giving people the skills, confidence and motivation they need to help them find work.
	We have in place a wide-ranging programme of evaluation of our New Deals. This evaluation examines the benefits that New Deals are providing, including the increased likelihood of participants moving into work. Evaluation reports are placed in the Library as they are published.

New Deal

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have entered the New Deal gateway (a) once, (b) twice and (c) three times or more in respect of (i) New Deal for Young People, (ii) New Deal 50 plus, and (iii) New Deal 25 plus.

Nick Brown: holding answer 26 November 2002
	The New Deal 50 plus does not have a gateway period.
	At June 2002, 738,950 people had started on the gateway of the New Deal for Young People programme. Of these 101,160 clients (16.7 per cent. of all gateway starters) have entered the gateway twice and 16,040 (2.7 per cent. of all gateway starters) have entered the gateway three times or more.
	At June 2002, 482,680 people had started on the gateway of the New Deal 25 plus. Of these 55,990 clients (13.6 per cent. of all gateway starters) have entered the gateway twice and 7,050 (1.7 per cent. of all gateway starters) have entered the gateway three times or more.
	Many participants will leave the programme before they reach the gateway stage (e.g. by finding work following their initial interview) so the numbers entering the gateway are significantly lower than the number entering the programme.
	Source:
	New Deal Evaluation Database.

New Deal

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will provide the information given in his Answer to the hon. Member for Hertsmere of 31 January, Official Report, column 537W, in respect of 2001–02.

Malcolm Wicks: During 2001 and 2002 a total of 11,183 sentences were imposed. Of these, 648 were custodial sentences and 3,067 were community sentences. The remaining 7,468 comprised a range of punishments including conditional discharge, probation, suspended imprisonment and payment of compensation.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Fraud Information By Sector system

New Deal Costs

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total expenditure has been to date on (a) New Deal for Young People, (b) New Deal 50 plus and (c) New Deal 25 plus.

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the gross annual cost is of each of the New Deal programmes since they were first established; how much of this cost has been met by the proceeds of the windfall tax; and what projections have been made for future years.

Nick Brown: holding answer 26 November 2002
	The information requested is in the table.
	
		Expenditure on the New Deals(36) -- # million
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02(37) Total 1997 to 2002 Of which: Windfall Tax Planned(38) spend 2002–03 
		
		
			  
			 Young People 50 268 378 368 285 1,347 1,080 354 
			 25 plus 0 24 108 128 226 486 420 303 
			 50 plus(39) 0 0 5 20 15 40 40 16 
			 Lone Parents 0 21 41 41 36 139 135 142 
			 Disabled People 0 5 20 10 10 45 45 58 
			 Partners 0 0 5 10 10 25 25 26 
		
	
	(36) Includes expenditure in Northern Ireland.
	(37) 2002–03 figures reflect planned gross expenditure, including Windfall Tax. Future New Deal allocations are currently being revised to reflect the outcome of Spending Review 2002.
	(38) New Deal 50 plus expenditure does not include employment credits, which are met from Annually Managed Expenditure.

Pensions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list (a) Green Papers, (b) reviews and (c) consultations or pensions since 1997.

Ian McCartney: We produced a Green Paper—Partnership in Pensions in 1998. Quinquennial reviews of occupational and personal pension schemes: review of certain contracted out terms took place in 1998 and 2001. A quinquennial review of the pensions ombudsman took place in 2000. The Pickering review took place in 2002.
	The Pension Credit: a consultation paper was produced in November 2000. It is a general requirement to consult on all draft amendment regulations on occupational pensions and the following list details consultations of the new Department for Work and Pensions compiled from August 2001. A detailed list of consultations before this date is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Title of consultation Date 
		
		
			 Occupational pension scheme winding up notices and reports (etc) regulations 2001 August 2001 
			 Occupational and personal pension schemes (disclosure of information) amendment regulations 2001 August 2001 
			 The minimum funding requirement: The next stage of reform. consultation on the draft occupational pension schemes (minimum funding requirement and miscellaneous amendments) regulations 2001 September 2001 
			 Private pensions October 2001 
			 Simplification (Pickering)  
			 Bulk transfer of accrued pensions rights without member consent December 2001 
			 Consultation on three recommendations in the Myner's report—Xinstitutional investment in the UK—a review (issued by Treasury 2001)" February 2002 
			 Member nominated trustees and directors February 2002 
			 Modernising annuities February 2002 
			 Occupational and personal pension schemes (contracting-out) miscellaneous amending regulations April 2002 (Fegs) 
			 Quinquennial review occupational pensions regulatory authority (Opra)—consultation May 2002 
			 The future of the residential allowance component of income support, minimum income guarantee, jobseeker's allowance May 2002 
		
	
	Notes: The following point should be noted :
	(i) The Government's code of practice on written consultation applies to written consultations which have a national impact on policy and services from 1st January 2001. This is in addition to our unique obligations as a Department to consult the Social Security Advisory Committee on certain legislative changes. Such changes may, or may not be subject to a public consultation.
	(ii) All public consultations are published on the DWP website and can be found on www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2002/index.htm.

Post Office Card Accounts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many personal invitations documents for post office card accounts will be printed;
	(2)  what proof of identity will be required for future holders of a post office card account who are in receipt of pensions and benefits.

Malcolm Wicks: Customers who wish to open a post office card account will be issued with a personal invitation document to take to their post office branch where they will then be handed a post office card account application form to fill in.
	Customers will need to prove who they are when opening a post office card account by presenting items such as a current passport, a full current driving licence or a council tax or utility bill. The personal invitation document can also act as a form of identification. We have said repeatedly that anyone who wants to open a card account will be able to do so, so there is no need to Xration" post office card accounts by restricting the number of personal invitation documents that are printed.

Post Office Card Accounts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what criteria are being employed in the decision to approve promotional literature for the post office card account;
	(2)  when he will make a decision approving the promotional literature for the post office card accounts.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department for Work and Pensions will be writing to customers over the next two years when it is their turn to change to direct payment into their account. Customers will be provided with information (including letters and leaflets) which clearly sets out the different types of accounts and enables them to choose the account that best meets their needs and circumstances.
	All of our information material includes references to post office access and post office card accounts; there is no need for any specific promotional literature for the post office card account. The post office have also produced customer information which mentions the post office card account and have plans to produce further material.

Post Office Card Accounts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements are being made for those pensioners and benefit claimants who wish to apply for a post office card account who have (a) hearing difficulties, (b) impaired sight, (c) serious learning difficulties, (d) mental illness and (e) seriously restricted mobility.

Malcolm Wicks: There will be a range of accounts available for people. We will provide customers with information (including letters and leaflets) which clearly sets out the account options as part of the move to direct payment. Customers, including those with a disability, will then be able to consider the options available and choose the account that best meets their needs and circumstances. They will be asked to provide details of their chosen account so that the Department can begin to pay their benefit or pensions by direct payment.
	Post office card account customers will also be able to give third party access to a nominated individual who will be able to access their account via a second card and a separate PIN.
	It has always been recognised that there will be some customers who are unable to use any of the banking options or the post office card account. For these people we are currently exploring the options available to ensure they receive their benefit at outlets which will include the post office.

Post Office Card Accounts

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the procedure for opening a post office card account; and whether he plans to take action to simplify it.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department for Work and Pensions will be writing to customers in Great Britain over the next two years when it is their turn to change to direct payment into an account. Customers will be provided with information (including letters and leaflets) which clearly sets out the different types of accounts and enables them to choose the account that best meets their needs and circumstances.
	Customers who wish to open a post office card account will need to contact the Department to discuss their account options with an adviser. They will then be issued with a personal invitation document. This document should then be taken to a post office branch where the customer will be given a post office card account application form to complete.
	Overall the process of applying for a post office card account is already straightforward and no more onerous than that of applying for a basic (or other) bank account.
	Similar arrangements will be put in place for customers living in Northern Ireland by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Statistics

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answers of 27 November, Refs 82508, 82511 and 82513, if he will rank the (a) unemployment rates and (b) ethnic minority population statistics of each 60 local authorities referred to in respect of (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) each nation of the UK.

Nick Brown: holding answer 4 December 2002
	The information is in the table.
	Many of the local authorities with the lowest employment rates are also among the local authorities with the highest ethnic minority populations. The local authorities listed as having high ethnic minority populations are therefore the 30 local authorities with the highest ethnic minority populations that do not already feature in the list of the 30 local authorities with the lowest employment rate.
	
		Percentage 
		
			 Local authorities with lowest employment rates Employment rate 
		
		
			 Tower Hamlets (E) 55 
			 Knowsley (E) 55 
			 Merthyr Tydfil (W) 56 
			 City of Glasgow (S) 57 
			 Blaenau Gwent (W) 57 
			 Newham (E) 57 
			 Easington (E) 58 
			 Hackney (E) 58 
			 Liverpool (E) 59 
			 Manchester (E) 59 
			 Middlesbrough (E) 59 
			 East Ayrshire (S) 61 
			 Neath Port Talbot (W) 62 
			 Sunderland (E) 62 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne (E) 62 
			 South Tyneside (E) 63 
			 Redcar and Cleveland (E) 63 
			 Pembrokeshire (W) 63 
			 Halton (E) 64 
			 Southwark (E) 64 
			 Kingston upon Hull, City (E) 64 
			 Nottingham (E) 64 
			 Islington (E) 65 
			 Rhondda, Cynon, Taff (W) 65 
			 Salford (E) 65 
			 Hartlepool (E) 66 
			 North Lanarkshire (S) 66 
			 West Dunbartonshire (S) 66 
			 Dundee (S) 66 
			 Caerphilly (W) 67 
		
	
	
		
			 Local authorities with highest minority ethnic population Population 
		
		
			 Birmingham (E) 157,990 
			 Brent (E) 98,297 
			 Ealing (E) 85,407 
			 Leicester City (E) 63,889 
			 Bradford (E) 60,694 
			 Barnet (E) 58,832 
			 Lambeth (E) 58,458 
			 Redbridge (E) 57,153 
			 Harrow (E) 54,580 
			 Westminster, City of (E) 52,805 
			 Haringey (E) 52,712 
			 Croydon (E) 47,935 
			 Lewisham (E) 44,678 
			 Hounslow (E) 43,733 
			 Waltham Forest (E) 43,233 
			 Wandsworth (E) 37,384 
			 Luton (E) 33,679 
			 Enfield (E) 33,496 
			 Camden (E) 33,007 
			 Sandwell (E) 32,370 
			 Kensington and Chelsea (E) 32,261 
			 Leeds (E) 31,681 
			 Kirklees (E) 31,436 
			 Wolverhampton (E) 30,275 
			 Merton (E) 29,636 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham (E) 28,652 
			 Hillingdon (E) 27,608 
			 Sheffield (E) 26,224 
			 Greenwich (E) 25,738 
			 Coventry (E) 23,172 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. (E) = England, (S) = Scotland, (W) = Wales
	2. Jobcentre Plus does not operate in Northern Ireland
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey

Sustainability Strategy

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the sustainability strategy is for his Department; and how it has changed since the Earth Summit in Johannesburg.

Maria Eagle: DWP confirmed its commitment to sustainable development by publishing a sustainable development policy statement in July this year. The 2nd DWP annual sustainable development report, published on 25 November, also introduces the departmental strategy for sustainable development that has been developed. This contains targets for improvement and sets out how the Department will continue to contribute to sustainable development. Both of these documents have been placed in the Library.
	WSSD outcomes and first views on follow-up will be reflected in the annual report on UK progress on sustainable development for 2002. The DWP Strategy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it continues to meet the aims and objectives of the UK strategy for sustainable development. The Introduction to the DWP strategy contains specific information on the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This will be updated to reflect the outcomes and as each element of the Strategy is reviewed outcomes from WSSD will be reflected as appropriate.

HEALTH

Youth Provision (Battersea)

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is available to young people resident in Battersea who have left care homes or foster parents over the age of (a) 16 and (b) 18 years.

Jacqui Smith: The assistance available to young people resident in Battersea who have left care homes or foster parents over the age of 16 or 18 is governed by the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000.
	This Act came into force in October 2001 and is accompanied by the Children (Leaving Care) (England) Regulations 2001 and associated guidance. The regulations and guidance set out the framework for young people who leave local authority care.
	Both the Act and the regulations and guidance are available in the Library.

Food Supplements

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make it his policy to seek an amendment to the Food Supplements Directive prior to its full implementation to allow member states to permit onto their own national markets those products which fall outside the technical restrictions of that Directive but which the competent authority accepts as safe and appropriately labelled; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Government has no plans to seek any amendments to the Food Supplements Directive. It has already secured provisions which enable Member States to allow the continued sale of products which do not comply with the compositional requirements up to 31 December 2009.

Food Supplements

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nutrients and nutrient sources on the United Kingdom market are absent from the list of permitted nutrients included in the annexes to the Food Supplements Directive; and what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) commissioning the research and (b) producing a dossier to the standards required by the European Scientific Committee for Foods for consideration for approval to be given for the addition of such missing nutrients to the annexes in the future.

Hazel Blears: According to information provided by industry, the list of permitted nutrients included in the annexes to the Food Supplements Directive excludes six nutrients (six minerals) and some 270 individual nutrient sources used in food supplements currently on the United Kingdom food supplements market. The costs of producing dossiers will largely depend upon the amount of new safety data that needs to be gathered, and will vary between individual cases.

Food Supplements

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has received from (a) industry and (b) the Food Standards Agency a list of those nutrients missing from the lists of approved nutrients and nutrient sources contained within the annexes of the Food Supplements Directive; what information he has received from industry as to which of those nutrients are the subject of projects to prepare adequate dossiers for consideration by the European Union Standing Committee for Foods; and what steps he intends to take to ensure the remaining nutrients are added to those annexes in the future.

Hazel Blears: United Kingdom industry representatives have sent to the Food Standards Agency a list of those nutrients missing from the lists of approved nutrients and nutrient sources in the annexes to the Food Supplements Directive. The same representatives have also sent to the Agency a list of dossiers being considered by industry for preparation and submission to the EU Scientific Committee for Foods (SCF). These dossiers cover 51 sources of 17 vitamins and minerals. As required by the Directive, the Food Standards Agency will forward to the Commission any such dossiers submitted to the Agency by industry for submission to the SCF.

Mobile Phones

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into the effects of radio waves on leukaemia cells, with particular reference to mobile phone users.

Hazel Blears: The Department has not undertaken research into the effects of radio waves on leukaemia cells.
	The independent expert group on mobile phones examined exposures from both mobile phones and base stations and experimental and epidemiological studies on possible health effects. It concluded that the balance of evidence to date suggests that exposures to radio waves below national and international guidelines do not cause adverse health effects to the general population.
	The expert group also proposed that gaps in knowledge were sufficient to justify a precautionary approach to the development of this technology and made recommendations for further research. A comprehensive research programme has now been established in this country under an independent programme management committee (PMC). Out of more than 120 submitted applications the PMC has approved 1 5 research proposals to date. This research includes studies of the effects of radio waves on cells and studies of the incidence of leukaemia and other cancers in populations. Information can be found on the mobile telecommunications and health research web site (www.mthr.org.uk). The World Health Organisation's international electromagnetic fields project lists the research being carried out in a number of other countries (see www.who.int/emf )

GM Foods

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the budget for the Food Standards Agency debate on GM foods; who will be contracted to conduct the debate; and how the Government's own debate on GM foods will interact with that of the FSA.

Hazel Blears: The Food Standards Agency is providing an independent contribution to the Government's debate on genetically modified (GM) foods. The Agency's contribution will consist of several elements including a citizen's jury and surveys on attitudes of young people and those on low incomes to GM foods, the details of which have yet to be finalised. The Agency has estimated that this will cost approximately #110,000. It has agreed to provide updates to the independent GM debate steering board and the results of the Agency's work will be discussed in public at an FSA Board meeting before the Government's GM debate concludes.

Adoptions

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inter-country adoptions there were by British citizens in each of the last three years, broken down by country.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not held centrally. Children habitually resident outside the United Kingdom may be adopted by British residents in the child's state of origin where the adoption order is recognised under UK law or brought to the UK by British residents for the purposes of adoption in the UK courts. British citizens living outside the UK may also adopt children habitually resident outside the UK through procedures agreed with the child's state of origin. Figures are only held for the number of applications involving a home study assessment in the UK and sent to the Department for processing. Not all of these applications are by British Citizens.
	The table shows how many overseas adoption applications the Department has received in each of the last three years.
	
		
			 Country name Number of applications 
		
		
			  Applications received by country from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000 
			 Algeria 1 
			 Armenia 1 
			 Belarus 1 
			 Bulgaria 3 
			 Cambodia 1 
			 Canada 1 
			 China 176 
			 Colombia 1 
			 Ghana 1 
			 Guatemala 24 
			 India 14 
			 Iran 1 
			 Jordan 1 
			 Kazakhstan 2 
			 Latvia 1 
			 Lithuania 1 
			 Macedonia 1 
			 Mexico 1 
			 Morocco 3 
			 Peru 1 
			 Philippines 3 
			 Romania 23 
			 Russia 14 
			 Singapore 1 
			 Sri Lanka 2 
			 Thailand 45 
			 Ukraine 2 
			 USA 15 
			 Vietnam 10 
			 Total applications received 351 
			   
			  Applications received by country from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 
			 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 
			 Brazil 2 
			 Bulgaria 3 
			 China 176 
			 Colombia 4 
			 Ethiopia 1 
			 Georgia 1 
			 Guatemala 13 
			 Hong Kong 1 
			 India 19 
			 Mexico 1 
			 Morocco 1 
			 Pakistan 4 
			 Peru 1 
			 Philippines 7 
			 Poland 1 
			 Portugal 1 
			 Romania 5 
			 Russia 13 
			 South Africa 1 
			 Sri Lanka 7 
			 Thailand 29 
			 Turkey 1 
			 Ukraine 1 
			 USA 22 
			 Vietnam 11 
			 Total applications received 327 
			  
			  Applications received by country from 1 January 2002 to 2 December 2002 
			 Armenia 1 
			 Brazil 1 
			 Bulgaria 4 
			 Cambodia 4 
			 Chile 1 
			 China 126 
			 Colombia 1 
			 Guatemala 17 
			 India 19 
			 Lithuania 1 
			 Madagascar 2 
			 Malaysia 1 
			 Mauritius 2 
			 Mexico 1 
			 Morocco 3 
			 Nepal 1 
			 Pakistan 2 
			 Philippines 4 
			 Poland 1 
			 Romania 3 
			 Russia 14 
			 Samoa 1 
			 South Africa 2 
			 Sri Lanka 1 
			 Taiwan 1 
			 Thailand 19 
			 Turkey 1 
			 Ukraine 2 
			 USA 18 
			 Vietnam 15 
			 Total applications received 269

Agency Staff

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost was of hiring agency staff to carry out operating department practitioner duties (a) in England and (b) in the north-west region in the last year for which figures are available.

John Hutton: holding answer 5 December 2002
	The Department collects information on the cost to the national health service of temporary workers, by category but not the duties undertaken nor the hospital department they are employed in.

Ambulance Personnel

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many former ambulance personnel are on retirement pensions; and how many ambulance personnel there are in service.

John Hutton: holding answer 27 November 2002
	The information requested is not collected centrally. The number of staff who have taken a retirement pension since the establishment of ambulance trusts, up to 8 November 2002, is 1,645. The number of ambulance staff in service at 30 September 2001 was 16,920.

Ambulance Personnel

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assaults on ambulance staff were recorded in each of the past five years.

John Hutton: Information on the type of and levels of violent incidents by individual staff group is not collected centrally, but may be held at a local level by national health service employers. Data on violent incidents involving all staff in the NHS was not collected on a national basis prior to 1998.
	The results of the 2000–2001 survey of reported violent or abusive incidents, accidents involving staff and sickness absence in NHS trusts and health authorities in England have been placed in the Library, along with a report setting out the Government's proposed action in light of the findings. The survey found that there were an estimated 13 reported violent or abusive incidents per 1,000 staff per month in ambulance trusts, compared to an estimated ten such incidents for all NHS trusts.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what dedicated facilities and support are available to children diagnosed with ADHD in the UK.

Jacqui Smith: Children with ADHD normally receive help and support from within the spectrum of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) which range from primary care, including school and social services interventions, to specialist and inpatient services. Child and adolescent psychiatrists, and increasingly paediatricians, provide specialist diagnostic and treatment services for children with ADHD, supported by members of multidisciplinary teams.
	A number of voluntary bodies also provide information, advice and support specifically for parents and children with this disorder. The Department provides grant-aid to the ADHD National Alliance which helps to coordinate voluntary sector activity and development work in this field.
	Arrangements for Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of the devolved administrations. Whilst the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has made of the number of school-aged children diagnosed with ADHD.

Jacqui Smith: Information on numbers diagnosed is not collected centrally. The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) of all types is estimated at around five per cent. of school-aged children, approximately 345,000, six to 16 year olds in England.

BCG

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all teenagers in England and Wales are being offered BCG vaccinations; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: BCG is recommended and available for children between the ages of 10 to 14 years as part of the school immunisation programme.

BCG

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of breast cancer patients have been waiting less than two months between urgent referral and the start of treatment in (a) England and (b) each NHS region.

Hazel Blears: Data is not yet collected centrally on performance of this target. The standard of a maximum wait of two months from urgent referral to first definitive treatment for breast cancer comes into effect at the end of December 2002. Central monitoring will begin in 2003 and data will be published on a quarterly basis next year. Data on current cancer waiting times targets is published on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/cancerwaits.

BCG

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list Health Authorities/PCTs that have received funding from the Cancer Care Plan for specialist palliative care, announced in May 2000, together with the amounts received.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 3 December 2002
	The NHS Cancer Plan pledged that the national health service contribution to the costs of specialist palliative care, including hospices, would increase by #50 million by 2004. Funding for specialist palliative care is included in the overall increased NHS investment for implementing the Cancer Plan and is, therefore, included in baseline allocations to health authorities (HAs) and primary care trusts (PCT). Each HA and PCT has received increased funding.
	As mentioned in my earlier reply to the hon. Member on 3 December 2002,we have made available an extra #10 million for specialist palliative care in 2002–03 to support the work the National Cancer Director is undertaking with the NHS and the voluntary sector to develop proposals for a new approach to specialist palliative care funding and planning. A list of the allocations made to each PCT from that extra funding has been placed in the Library.

BCG

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many extra (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) managers have been employed by NHS trusts using the extra money allocated for the improvement of cancer services.

John Hutton: Information specifically on the number of staff employed by national health service trusts using the money allocated for the improvement of cancer services is not available.
	A table showing the increase in hospital and community health services (HCHS) medical staff employed in the cancer specialties in NHS trusts, primary care trusts (PCTs) and the National Blood Authority, excluding staff who work elsewhere in the NHS, between 2000 and 2001 follows. Information on staff groups other than HCHS medical staff working in cancer services is not collected centrally.
	
		NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Medical staff working in the cancer specialties(39) employed in NHS trusts, PCTs and the National Blood Authority in England as at 30 September each year
		
			  2000 2001 Difference 
		
		
			 Medical staff employed in the cancer specialties 5,650 6,090 440  
		
	
	(39) Excludes hospital practitioners and clinical assistants most of whom are GPs
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census.
	By 2003–04 we will be making an additional #570 million available to support the implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan. These increased resources will enable PCTs to decide where NHS resources are best spent in line with local priorities in providing high clinical standards and good value for money.
	The Government are implementing a range of measures to improve recruitment and retention of all staff, including nurses. Since 1997, the nursing work force has grown by 39,520. Between September 1999 and March 2002 there was an approximated net increase in nurses working in the NHS of 28,740—the NHS Plan target and Manifesto commitment have been reached two years early. The increase in nurse numbers will enable the recruitment of additional cancer-site specific nurse specialists, chemotherapy nurses, district nurses, palliative care nurse specialists and additional nurses on wards caring for cancer patients.

Care Expenditure

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent, adjusted for inflation, on (a) homecare, (b) secure accommodation, (c) fostering, (d) day care, (e) nursing care and (f) residential care for (i) children, (ii) 18 to 64 year olds and (iii) people aged 65 and over in each year since 1997–1998 in (A) Cumbria, (B) Devon, (C) East Riding of Yorkshire, (D) Herefordshire, (E) Lincolnshire, (F) North Yorkshire, (G) Northumberland, (H) Rutland, (I) Shropshire, (J) Wiltshire and (K) England.

Jacqui Smith: : The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Care Home Inspectors

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health [pursuant to his answer of 28 November, Official Report, column 408W], on care home inspectors, how many (a) established care home inspector posts and (b) vacancies there were in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: : The available information on the number and whole time equivalent (WTE) of professional and support staff and the number of posts vacant in England is shown in the table for the years 1998–1999 to 200–2001. Data for 2001–2002 is not available.
	The data for 2000–2001 are not directly comparable with previous years as they do not include the inspection of provision of under eight activity.
	
		Staffing trends in registration and inspection units England: all inspection units
		
			  Number Whole time equivalent (WTE) Posts vacant (WTE)  
			  1998–1999 1999–2000 2000–2001 1998–1999 1999–2000 2000–2001 1998–1999 1999–2000 2000–2001 
		
		
			 Professional staff 2,120 2,035 1,580 1,880 1,790 1,410 80 95 45 
			   
			 of which: 
			 registration/inspection officers (40)— 1,220 895 (40)— 1,100 820 (40)— 70 30 
			   
			 Support staff 795 790 680 695 670 560 40 45 40 
		
	
	Note:
	(40) not available

Care Home Inspectors

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 28 November, Official Report, column 408W, on care home inspectors, what types of premises the inspectors are required to inspect; and how many of each type of establishment there are, by region.

Jacqui Smith: : The National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) inspects children's homes, care homes, independent hospitals, independent clinics, independent medical agencies and fostering agencies. It also carries out welfare inspections of boarding schools and further education colleges accommodating under-18 year olds. The NCSC is also responsible for the inspection of local authority adoption and fostering services. Provisions in the Care Standards Act 2000 relating to inspection of domiciliary care agencies, nurses agencies, residential family centres, and voluntary adoption agencies have not yet been commenced.
	Information on the number of different types of establishment is not yet available.

Care Home Inspectors

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 28 November, Official Report, column 408W, on care home inspectors, how many vacancies have been unfilled for (a) up to one month, (b) one to three months, (c) three to six months, (d) six months to one year and (e) one year or more.

Jacqui Smith: This information is not available. The National Care Standards Commission does not currently hold retrospective data relating to vacancies.

Carers Grant

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been available in the carers grant for each of the last five years; how much was unallocated; and how much will be allocated to the carers grant for each of the next three years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the table. The entire grant was allocated.
	
		
			 Year # million 
		
		
			 1999–2000 20 
			 2000–01 50 
			 2001–02 70 
			 2002–03 85 
			 2003–04 100 
			 2004–05 125 
			 2005–06 185

Change Agent Team

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the Department of Health's Change Agent Team.

Jacqui Smith: As of 5 December, members of the change agent team are: Richard Humphries (Director), Fran McCabe, Maureen Allan, Anne Ashby, Janet Crampton, Ruth Eley, Moira McGrath, Fiona McLeod, Liz Sargeant, Elizabeth Foley, Michael Padgham.

Children

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to introduce legislation to give children the same legal right of protection for assaults as adults; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The law governing assault is the same for adults and children, except only in respect of the Xreasonable chastisement" defence of the physical punishment of children. Use of this defence is now governed by the outcome of the European Court of Human Rights ruling in the case of A. v. United Kingdom, which was heard on appeal from the domestic courts. Since the Human Rights Act 1998 came into force in the UK in October 2000, the Courts have been obliged to take note of the outcome of the European Court of Human Rights ruling. Following the A. v. UK case, certain factors must be taken into account by the Courts when considering whether a punishment may be described as reasonable chastisement. These factors include the nature and duration of punishment, its physical and mental effects and the state of health and age of the child. The Government believe that parents have the right to decide for themselves whether or not they wish to use physical punishment in bringing up their children. The law is therefore formulated to allow them to make that choice, while affording protection for children against unacceptable forms of physical punishment.

Children

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have been diagnosed obese since 1997; and what percentage of these children were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Hazel Blears: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in children in England. No exact figures on how many children are obese are available, although analyses of the Health Survey for England (1999) showed the prevalence of obesity was 10 per cent., at age six rising to 17 per cent., at age 15. There are also no figures available on the numbers of children who are obese and have Type 2 diabetes. There is however evidence to suggest that the rise in the number of children with Type 2 diabetes is in proportion to the number who are obese.
	The Government are committed to tackling the rising trend in childhood obesity and have put in place cross-Government programmes of work to improve eating habits and increase physical activity levels. One Government Department cannot tackle obesity on its own. The Department of Health is working with other Government Departments and a wide range of other partners at national, regional and local levels.

Children

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received from non-Members on the reform of the child protection system; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: We receive many representations on this important issue although exact numbers are not available.
	The Government is aware that a wide range of views about the reform of child protection have been submitted for consideration by the Victoria Climbié Inquiry, and we look forward shortly to receiving Lord Laming's report. The recommendations of the Victoria Climbié Inquiry, together with those contained in the Joint Chief Inspectors report Safeguarding Children will provide the Government with an authoritative basis for any reforms to child protection that may need to be made and, if reform is necessary, the Government will implement it.

Children

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the introduction of the Children Act 1989 in prisons following the High Court ruling on 29 November; and what extra resources his Department will make available to social services departments to ensure its implementation.

Jacqui Smith: Mr. Justice Munby's judgment, handed down on 29 November, ruled that the Children Act 1989 applied to children in prison, subject to the requirements of imprisonment. This was the Department's own view, set out in its statement to the court.
	The Department therefore sees no immediate need to revise existing guidance to councils with social services responsibilities or to review resource allocations. However, we will, together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, carefully study Mr. Justice Munby's judgment, in the context of the recommendations of the joint chief inspectors' report, XSafeguarding Children".

Children

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in care have access to the internet at home, broken down by local authority.

Jacqui Smith: We do not hold central information on how many children in care have access to the internet. However, #20 million has been made available from the capital modernisation fund to increase access to information and communication technology (ICT) for children in and leaving care. The majority of this money is being paid to local councils over this year and next as part of the Quality Protects programme (details in the circular LAC(2001 )28). The remainder is supporting the development of XCareZone" by the Who Cares? Trust. XCareZone" will provide a range of interactive, secure, on-line services for children in care.
	Local authorities' Quality Protects management action plans, submitted in January 2002, included details of their plans for increasing access to ICT. The average position reported by councils was that just under half of their looked after children had access to a computer where they lived. This was projected to rise to three-quarters by 2004.

Children

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children's hospice funding was paid by his Department in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally. However, a survey conducted by the association of children's hospices indicated that children's hospices derive, on average, some 5 per cent., of their funding from national health service sources.

Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health

David Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget estimates have been submitted by the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health; what specific allocations have been made; what factors have been taken into account in his estimate of the budget required by the Commission; what his estimate is of the staffing levels required by the Commission for (a) general support for patients forums, (b) cross forum working by patients forums, (c) independent complaints advocacy and (d) community development; and what budget allocations are proposed for each of these budget heads; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: Funding decisions for the next three years will be announced shortly. I will write to the hon. Member when final decisions have been made.

Community Health Councils

David Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when community health councils will cease to exist; and when patients forums will be established.

David Lammy: The abolition of Community Health Councils (CHCs) is a matter for the Government and we hope to be able to make announcements about the timetable for the abolition very soon. The timetable for the establishment of patients' forums is a matter for the Commission and it is one of the issues currently being considered by the Commissions designate chair, designate chief executive and the interim team. We will be working closely with the Commission to ensure that there is a smooth transition from CHCs to patients' forums.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 3 October 2002 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Karen Smith;
	(2)  when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 3 October 2002 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Karen Smith.

Alan Milburn: I replied to my right hon. Friend on 4 December 2002.

Deafness

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England and Wales are deaf in one ear.

Jacqui Smith: While the Department does not collect that information, the Institute of Hearing Research recently conducted a survey of ear, nose and throat conditions. This suggested that around 17 people in every 1,000 have moderate to severe hearing difficulty or no hearing at all in one ear, but no difficulty in the other ear.

Delayed Discharges

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the organisations from which he has received representations regarding the proposed delayed discharge fines.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 28 November 2002
	A summary and a list of respondents to the consultation on reimbursement around delayed discharge have been placed in the Library.

Delayed Discharges

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the impact on the number of delayed discharges of the introduction of fines over the next three years.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 28 November 2002
	The proportion of older people waiting to be discharged from hospital on any one day has reduced from around 14 per cent. in 1996 to just under 8.9 per cent. today. The Government are determined to tackle the problem of delayed discharges and that is why we have brought legislation forward to deal in line with it. This is in line with the commitment in the NHS Plan to end widespread delayed discharges by 2004. Furthermore, the priorities and planning framework 2003–06 envisages delayed transfers of care will reach minimal levels by 2006.

Delayed Discharges

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he collates on a regional basis regarding delayed discharge and emergency readmissions; and if he will list the figures for Q1 2002–03.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 5 December 2002
	None. The information is collected by primary care trust only. The Q1 data for 2002–03 are in the Library.

Delayed Discharges

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to distribute the #100 million from the NHS to social services to recompense for delayed discharge.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 4 December 2002
	The distribution of this funding is still under consideration and will be announced as soon as possible.

Duplex Scans

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current waiting time is for Duplex scans at Maidstone Hospital.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 5 December 2002
	The information requested on current waiting times for duplex scans is not held centrally. However, I am advised by Kent and Medway Strategic Health Authority that no waiting list operates when such scans are considered to be clinically necessary. These are carried out as needed.

Herbal Medicines

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many products now on free sale will be required to be licensed when the European directives on nutritional supplements on herbal remedies come into effect; and whether grandfather rights will be given to products already on free sale;
	(2)  what steps he intends to take to secure a continued route to market, other than full pharmaceutical licensing, for those products which are not able to demonstrate they have been on the European market for the period specified by the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive, but which are able to demonstrate a tradition of safe use in another country.

Hazel Blears: Directive 2002/46/EC on Food Supplements does not require licensing of any products.
	There is currently no requirement for the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) to be notified of unlicensed herbal remedies placed on the market under section 12(2) of the Medicines Act 1968 and therefore there is no information available on the number of products placed on the market under this provision and which may fall within the terms of the proposed Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products. We expect that some broad pointers as to the likely numbers of products for which registration might be sought will emerge from continuing discussions between the MCA and the herbal sector, particularly in the light of further refinements to the text during continuing negotiations.
	There is no provision within the Directive for grandfather rights to be given as such. However, in the MCA's consultation on the proposed Directive earlier this year, the herbal sector was invited to submit examples of products which are currently legal but which may fall outside the terms of the proposed Directive. Analysis to date of the responses suggest that there will be few existing herbal medicine on the United Kingdom market which, while having 30 years use, are unable to meet the proposed requirement that at least 15 years use should have been within the European Union. This assessment also takes account of the proposed five year transitional period for products already on the market, during which time evidence of traditional use can continue to be accumulated.
	A recent proposed amendment from the European Parliament, which we will support, would reduce the required minimum period of EU usage from 15 years to 10 years. This would further reduce any possibility that products currently on the UK market would fall outside the Directive solely by virtue of the required minimum period of EU usage.
	Where non industrially produced unlicensed herbal remedies are supplied following one to one consultation in accordance with the terms of section 12(1) of the Medicines Act 1968 there is no requirement to demonstrate traditional usage of the remedy.

Herbal Medicines

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on, and how many were (a) for and (b) against, the proposed new EU directives on nutritional supplements and herbal remedies from (i) small and medium enterprises, (ii) large manufacturers, (iii) drug firms and (iv) the public.

Hazel Blears: Directive 2002/46/EC on Food Supplements came into force on 12 July 2002 and must be transposed into member states' national legislation by 31 July 2003. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is currently consulting on draft implementing Regulations.
	During lengthy negotiations on the Directive the FSA received a large number of representations from a wide range of stakeholders expressing a range of views.
	We have also received a large number of representations about the proposed Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of responses in the categories requested as many of those commenting have made specific comments rather than directly indicated support for, or opposition to, the proposed Directives.
	To the best of our knowledge, we have not received any representations, either for or against the Directive, from any manufacturers not already involved in the manufacture of products in the natural health sector.
	The position of representatives of United Kingdom manufacturers of herbal remedies was set out in a letter from the Herbal Forum to my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (The Lord Hunt of Kings Heath) on 18 November. The membership of the Forum, which covers small, medium and large businesses operating in the sector, comprises the Health Food Manufacturers' Association, the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, the British Herbal Medicine Association, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, the Natural Medicines Manufacturers' Association, the Ayurvedic Trade Association, the Trade Association of Producers and Suppliers of Ayurvedic Products from India, the Chinese Medicine Association of Suppliers, the European Herbal Practitioners Association, the Aromatherapy Trade Council, and the Small Growers and Producers Association.
	The Forum indicates its view that the traditional medicines sector needs appropriate regulation in order to ensure that the public is properly protected against inferior quality products which the current system can allow on the market. The Forum also says that its members appreciate the need for the proposed Directive, while outlining a number of areas of specific concern that it wishes to be addressed through the continuing European negotiations or at national level. We welcome the stated intention of the Forum to continue to work constructively with the Government and the MCA in particular, to address the various issues identified.
	We have received a wide range of representations from stakeholder interest groups in herbal sector in the form of letters and through points made in discussions with Ministers and with the MCA. The stakeholders cover many interests including, manufacturing, retailing, consumers, herbal practitioners, other complementary and alternative medicine groups, pharmacists, doctors, other health care professionals and academics. Some have been supportive of the Directive or have been supportive subject to the resolution of specific concerns. Others have raised specific points without indicating an overall view of the Directive. A minority has indicated strong opposition. Among representative groups wholly or broadly supportive of the Directive are the British Herbal Medicine Association, Consumers Association, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the European Herbal Practitioners Association. Representative groups expressing strongest opposition to the Directive include Consumers for Health Choice (CMC) and the National Association of Health Stores (NAHS).
	In a number of meetings Ministers have held with a wide range of stakeholders directly involved in the sector the position taken by the majority of interest groups has been that the UK should support the Directive as being in the interests both of the sector and of consumers, while arguing for additional flexibility on a number of issues; and that the Directive should be interpreted and implemented in a way which minimised regulatory impact, consistent with the protection of public health. A minority of stakeholder groups has expressed strong opposition, citing fears in particular that the Directive would have an adverse effect on specialist health food retailers and consumer choice.
	Representations from individual companies also express a wide variety of positions, ranging from strong support to concern or opposition.
	We have received around 1,300 letters, mainly from the public, opposing the Directive. Many of these express the fear that large numbers of herbal remedies would no longer be available as a result of the Directive. A significant proportion specifically indicate support for the position against the Directive taken by CHC or the NAHS. We have received a number of petitions expressing a similar point of view. A number of these representations from the public also express opposition to the Food Supplements Directive.
	We have in addition received around 400 letters from the public opposing the possibility of traditional use registration applying to flower essences. This followed a statement by the MCA, in response to a request from a company, that it might be possible in principle for a company to secure a traditional use registration for a product. Nearly all those writing were concerned that the possibility of a company making a successful application implied a requirement that all flower essences should be registered under the Directive. This however is not the case.

Food Standards Agency

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many products which are accepted as safe by the Food Standards Agency he expects to (a) be removed from the United Kingdom market and (b) have to be substantially reformulated when the full provisions of the Food Supplements Directive are implemented; and what estimate he has made of the costs of such compliance.

Hazel Blears: The impact of the Directive on the future availability of products currently on the United Kingdom market will depend upon future developments on lists of permitted nutrients and on maximum levels of nutrients in food supplements. The Food Standards Agency is currently consulting on a maximum reformulation cost assessment of #4 million based on an assumption that no further nutrient sources are approved.

Foster Care (Recruitment)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 25 November 2002, Official Report, column 136W, regarding recruitment of foster carers, what methods he used to conclude that the profile of foster care had been raised by the recruitment campaign.

Jacqui Smith: The method used to conclude that the profile of foster care had been raised by the recruitment campaign was through the number of responses received by the national call centre by people requesting further information. It was clear that people rang in because of their interest in the positive role of foster care as described in the campaign through television, radio and other media coverage.

General Practitioners

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average age is of GPs in the Havering Primary Care Trust area; and how many will reach retirement age before 2006.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		General medical practitioners by age in Havering primary care trust and England -- as at 31 March 2002Number (Headcount)
		
			   Of which: Aged  
			  Total Under 30 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–49 50–54 
			 England
		
		
			 All Practitioners(41) 32,011 1,305 3,557 5,497 6,272 5,376 4,633 
			 Of which:
			 NHS Plan group(42) 28,950 341 2,648 4,859 5,894 5,259 4,594 
			 Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)(43) 27,956 285 2,441 4,698 5,774 5,140 4,525 
			 UPEs aged 66 and over(44) 309 — — — — — — 
			 
			 Havering Primary Care Trust  
			 All Practitioners(41) 126 3 7 28 12 21 15 
			 Of which:
			 NHS Plan group(42) 116 0 4 24 12 21 15 
			 Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)(43) 114 0 4 22 12 21 15 
			 UPEs aged 66 and over(44) 5 — — — — — — 
		
	
	
		Number (Headcount) 
		
			  Of which: Aged  
			  55–59 60–64 65–69 70+ Unknown Average age 
		
		
			 England   
			 All Practitioners(41) 3,379 1,419 506 66 1 44.7 
			 Of which:   
			 NHS Plan group(42) 3,365 1,419 506 65 0 45.8 
			 Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)(43) 3,281 1,358 454 0 0 45.8 
			 UPEs aged 66 and over(44) — — — — — — 
			
			 Havering Primary Care Trust 
			 All Practitioners(41) 23 11 6 0 0 47.6 
			 Of which:   
			 NHS Plan group(42) 23 11 6 0 0 48.8 
			 Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)(43) 23 11 6 0 0 49.0 
			 UPEs aged 66 and over(44) — — — — — — 
		
	
	(41) All Practitioners include UPEs, Restricted Principals, GP Registrars. Assistants, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA). PMS Others and GP Retainers.
	(42) NHS Plan GPs include UPEs. Restricted Principals. Assistants, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA) and PMS Others.
	(43) UPEs include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
	(44) UPEs have to retire as a principal by the age of 70. Those that are aged 66 plus in the 2002 census will have to retire (as a principal) by 2006.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

General Practitioners

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs have worked in the NHS since 1997, broken down by nation of the UK.

John Hutton: The number of general practitioners who have worked in the national health service in England in each year since 1997 is set out in the following table. Information for GPs working in Scotland and Wales are the responsibilities of the devolved Administrations. While the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.
	
		General medical practitioners in England; 1997 to 2002 -- numbers (headcount)
		
			  1 October 30 September 31 March 
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 All practitioners(45) — — 30,959 31,369 31,835 32,011 
			 Of which   
			 Practitioners (excluding GP retainers) 29,389 29,697 29,987 30,252 30,685 30,858 
			 NHS plan group(46) 28,046 28,251 28,467 28,593 28,802 28,950 
			 Unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)(47) 27,099 27,392 27,591 27,704 27,843 27,956 
			 GP registrars 1,343 1,446 1,520 1,659 1,883 1,908 
		
	
	(45) All practitioners include unrestricted principals equivalents (UPE), restricted principals, GP registrars, assistants, salaried doctors, persona medical services (PMS) others and GP retainers.
	(46) NHS plan GPs include UPEs, restricted principals, assistants, salaried doctors and PMS others. The base year for NHS plan starts at 1999.
	(47) UPEs include GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs.

General Practitioners

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage more GPs to set up practice in East Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust is working together with the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley and Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) on a number of initiatives, both long and short-term, to help recruit and retain general practitioners in East Lancashire. All three PCTs are actively pursuing initiatives around personal medical services and the local implementation finance initiative, but are also developing individual ways of encouraging more GPs into East Lancashire. Examples include:
	Blackburn with Darwen PCT, which is looking at the skill mix in its practices to make optimum use of the relevant professional skills, such as nurse triage;
	Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT, where three new GPs have been appointed and are due to start practising in February 2003. The PCT is working closely with its neighbouring PCTs by providing mentoring support to all new GPs; and
	Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT, which has established a work force and training sub group of the professional executive committee. The work force sub group is leading the work towards the production of a work force development plan.

General Practitioners

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average number of GPs per 1,000 of the population was in (a) rural and (b) urban areas in each year from 1997 to 2002;
	(2)  what the average number of GPs per 1,000 of the population in (a) Shropshire and (b) the UK was in each year from 1997 to 2002.

John Hutton: holding answers 2 December 2002
	The table shows the number of General Practitioners in Shropshire and England, and rural and urban areas in 2001. Population figures for earlier years are currently being revised by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in light of results from the 2001 national population census. 2001 Census based population estimates for mid-year 2001 were published in October 2002, however it is not possible to provide figures for earlier years on a comparable basis. Revised population estimates for earlier years are expected to be published by ONS in February 2003. Information for GPs working in Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of the devolved Administrations, while the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.
	
		Average number of GPs per 1,000 population
		
			  All practitioners(48) 
		
		
			 Shropshire 0.62 
			 England 0.65 
			 Rural areas 0.69 
			 Urban areas 0.64 
		
	
	(48) All Practitioners include Unrestricted Principles and Equivalents, Restricted Principals, GP Registrars, Assistants, Salaried Doctors, Personal Medical Services, Others and GP Retainers.
	Source:
	Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Health Protection Agency

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many responses (a) positive and (b) negative he has received to the consultation on the creation of the Health Protection Agency.

Hazel Blears: We received 215 responses to the consultation paper. Many of them provided detailed comments on various aspects of the proposal: it is not possible to categorise them simply as either Xpositive" or Xnegative". An account of the points made in the responses, and of the decisions we are taking in the light of them, will be made available as soon as possible.

Home Help

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the definition of intensive home help is; and how many people have been receiving intensive home help in each year since 1994.

Jacqui Smith: From 1999 intensive home care/home help is defined as six or more visits with more than 10 contact hours per household per week. Prior to this the definition was six or more visits with five or more contact hours.
	The information centrally available is on households, not individuals. The number of households receiving intensive home help/home care in a typical week in September is shown for England in the table for both definitions. Data for the current definition is available only from 1998 to 2001. Data for 2002 is not yet available.
	
		Number of households receiving intensive home help/home care, 1994 to 2000. England, survey week during September -- rounded numbers
		
			 Year 6 or more visits and 5 or more contact hours 6 or more visits and more than 10 contact hours 
		
		
			 1994 74,760 — 
			 1995 94,100 — 
			 1996 107,910 — 
			 1997 112,940 — 
			 1998 133,840 58,140 
			 1999 138,530 63,070 
			 2000 143,450 72,100 
			 2001 156,010 76,400 
		
	
	Source:
	HH1 form

Hospital and Nursing Home Costs

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his latest estimate is of the average cost per week of (a) keeping a person in hospital and (b) keeping that person in a nursing home in Leeds.

Jacqui Smith: The average cost of a seven day stay in hospital in the specialty of elderly medicine is #1,015. For 2000–01, the average gross total cost to Leeds Metropolitan Council of supporting someone in nursing care was #412 per week.
	Notes:
	1. Sources of information:
	(a) West Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority.
	(b) Department of Health
	2. This cost does not include any intensive medical inputs.
	3. Figures are for 2000–01, and refer to Leeds Metropolitan Council. The figure given is an average figure for older people and adults under 65 with physical disabilities, mental illness or learning disabilities. These four client groups are listed in descending order of expenditure/activity, the dominant group being older people. The average figure for this group alone is #382.

Medical Degrees

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with university authorities and ministers at the Department of Education and Skills concerning the number of students applying for medical degrees.

John Hutton: I met the Minister of State for universities and lifelong learning on 27 November. Matters relating to medical education were discussed.
	The Department and the higher education funding council for England have set up a group to monitor the progress medical schools are making in delivering the extra medical school places announced between 1999 and 2001.
	The Open University Centre for Education and Medicine has recently published a report entitled, XAn analysis of trends in Applications to Medical Schools", which was commissioned by the Department.
	Recent information published by the universities and colleges admissions service shows that between October 2000 and October 2002, the number of home applicants to study medicine has increased by 51.6 per cent.

Mental Health

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research is being carried out by his Department into how individual personal choice might be improved on mental health.

Jacqui Smith: There is no research currently being carried out by the Department or the Medical Research Council into how personal choice might be improved on mental health.
	However, the implementation of mental health policy, as set out in the National Service Framework and the NHS Plan, will have the effect of increasing the amount of choice for service users.
	For example, the 1,000 graduate primary care workers will increase the availability of psychological therapies in the primary care setting, providing a cost-effective alternative to medication for many people with common mental health problems such as depression.
	Strengthening specialist community mental health services by the delivery of 50 early intervention teams, 220 assertive outreach teams and 335 crisis resolution teams by 2004 will mean that greater numbers of people with mental health problems will have the option to be treated in their own homes, or alternative accommodation close to home, rather than having to be admitted to hospital in order to gain access to the care they need.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of mental health patients were given physical health checks in each health authority in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on how mental health service users are consulted on the effectiveness of complementary therapies.

Hazel Blears: National health service organisations are expected to put in place procedures for seeking the views of users of services they provide that are timely and meaningful to the communities they serve, and for taking service users' views into account alongside other factors when planning future services.
	To support the NHS in performing this duty, the system for patient and public involvement has been reformed, and new mechanisms and structures have been developed. The national patient survey programme is an example of one of the mechanisms that is supporting the new system. It is being developed so that in future it will include a focus on the patient experience of mental health service users.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of patients attending GP clinics he estimates have mental health problems.

Jacqui Smith: No formal assessment of the proportion of patients with mental health problems attending general practitioner clinics has been undertaken by the Department. However, the NHS plan refers to evidence from independent research suggesting that as many as one in four consultations are with people with mental health problems. More detail about this evidence is presented in guidance published recently for primary care and other services on XGateway" workers. It is available on the mental health website at www.doh.gov.uk/mentalhealth.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of carers of mental health patients have been given a carer's assessment.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not hold this information centrally. Assessments are the gateway to carers receiving help. The assessment is the responsibility of the statutory sector to arrange and agencies should work together to ensure that a carer has one assessment which will enable them to access all services. The recently issued guidance, XDeveloping Services for Carers and Families of People with Mental Illness", will help local mental health services ensure that this is achieved.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support and advice is given to mental health service users to become advocates for other mental health service users.

Jacqui Smith: The national service framework states that specific arrangements should be in place to ensure both service user and carer involvement and advocacy arrangements. Decisions about the involvement of mental health service users as advocates remains the responsibility of local services. However, the NHS plan testifies to the emphasis that the Government are keen to place on the involvement of patients at all levels in the national health service. Furthermore, a proposal in the draft Mental Health Bill provides that where someone is subject to the powers in the Bill they have a right of access to a specialist mental health advocate.
	The Department is also providing three year funding for the United Kingdom advocacy network to develop standards in independent advocacy whereby they are establishing programmes of regional training courses for advocates which includes service users.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he is implementing to ensure that one or more performance indicators are assigned to each piece of NICE guidance so that progress in implementing the guidance can be effectively monitored.

David Lammy: All technology appraisal guidance issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) which was initiated after October 2000 includes specific audit advice and measurable criteria to be used in local reviews. A similar approach is being adopted by NICE for clinical guidelines.

NHS Staff (Reservists)

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in respect of contingency planning to deal with the call up of NHS staff as medical reservists, for how many (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) other medical staff cover would have to be arranged; and what assessment he has made of how this would affect performance targets for NHS institutions.

John Hutton: No decisions have been made about the call-up of medical reservists and so it is not possible to make any estimates concerning what cover may be needed. The Department would liase with the Ministry of Defence on any requirement to call up medical personnel. Together, we would work closely with the national health service trusts concerned to minimise disruption as far as possible.

NHS Staff (Reservists)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls the NHS Overseas Nurses Advice Line has received since it was established; and what the average cost to the NHS is per call.

John Hutton: holding answer 2 December 2002
	To date the National Health Service Overseas Advice Line has received 53 calls which have required advice.
	The NHS Overseas Nurses Advice Line is funded by the Department of Health. The average cost per call for this financial year will not be available until March 2003.

NHS Staff (Reservists)

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses left the NHS last year, broken down by nation of the UK.

John Hutton: Information on the number of nurses leaving the national health service each year is not available. The non-medical workforce census collects data on staff in post as at 30 September each year but does not distinguish between leavers and recruits.
	The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) publishes an annual statistical report which includes information about the number of nurses and midwives leaving the register. This data can be found on the NMC website at www.nmc-uk.org.uk.

NHS Staff (Reservists)

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much was (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on NHS nursing and midwifery staff in each year since 1996–97 in (i) England and (ii) each NHS region;
	(2)  how much was (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on agency nursing and midwifery staff in the NHS in each year since 1996–97 in (i) England and (ii) each NHS region.

John Hutton: Information about staffing budgets is not held centrally. It is for primary care trusts, in partnership with health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services. Funding for nurses, midwives and health visiting staff will have been made available in health authority unified allocations. Table 1 sets out these allocations for England and the average annual increase in each year.
	Information outlining the expenditure on national health service nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff is shown in table 2.
	Information outlining the expenditure on non-NHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff is shown in Table 3. The figures in table 2 include all agency staff and any other staff not directly employed by the individual NHS trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts. We are unable to disaggregate agency nursing costs.
	
		Table 1: England allocation and cash increase 1996–97 to 2002–03
		
			 Year Allocation (#000) Cash increase (#000) Percentage 
		
		
			 1996–97 20,886,002 766,228 3.81 
			 1997–98 21,816,441 824,521 3.93 
			 1998–99 22,895,307 1,028,244 4.70 
			 1999–2000 31,192,915 1,932,040 6.60 
			 2000–01 34,234,888 2,792,354 8.88 
			 2001–02 37,157,382 3,039,979 8.91 
			 2002–03 41,468,469 3,704,200 9.88 
		
	
	Note:
	The allocations for 1999–2000 onwards are not comparable with those for 1996–97 to 1998–99 which cover hospital and community health services (HCHS) only. 1999–2000 was the first year of unified allocations which cover HCHS, prescribing and discretionary general medical services.
	
		Table 2: Expenditure on NHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff England, 1996–97 to 2000–01
		
			 Region 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Northern and Yorkshire 831,340,241 850,015,207 902,854,418 997,003,489 1,087,774,444 
			 Trent 638,295,285 652,938,065 683,240,140 748,449,639 791,095,390 
			 West Midlands 647,197,186 661,729,190 684,544,989 746,590,274 809,642,109 
			 North West 908,283,904 932,480,126 976,794,428 1,064,401,204 1,148,750,339 
			 Eastern 583,429,006 584,789,352 607,820,759 664,906,741 720,152,396 
			 London 1,109,678,665 1,147,415,728 1,186,661,273 1,287,889,856 1,378,785,300 
			 South East 950,338,890 963,640,965 1,003,409,193 1,095,639,106 1,181,989,752 
			 South West 625,822,737 622,034,275 664,540,071 725,391,300 784,221,142 
			 England Total 6,294,385,914 6,415,042,908 6,709,865,271 7,330,271,609 7,902,410,872 
		
	
	Sources:
	1. Annual financial returns for NHS trusts, 1996–97 to 2000–01
	2. Annual financial returns for health authorities, 1996–97 to 2000–01
	3. Annual financial returns for primary care trusts, 2000–01
	
		Table 3: Expenditure on non-NHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff (inc. agency, etc.)—England
		
			 Region 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Northern and Yorkshire 6,028,667 6,714,833 7,504,774 9,670,403 11,687,978 
			 Trent 5,960,334 7,697,702 10,064,129 12,885,286 16,582,418 
			 West Midlands 16,939,663 20,265,855 26,503,757 32,564,528 37,964,326 
			 North West 9,570,017 13,211,621 17,857,451 23,917,194 31,022,389 
			 Eastern 14,055,474 15,719,904 22,670,380 30,951,975 42,387,041 
			 London 108,202,417 111,628,043 130,573,228 180,665,901 202,308,850 
			 South East 21,586,155 29,963,665 41,469,988 52,808,574 66,046,899 
			 South West 9,153,908 11,136,944 15,581,455 18,192,822 27,431,981 
			 England Total 191,496,635 216,338,567 272,225,162 361,656,683 435,431,882 
		
	
	Sources:
	1. Annual financial returns for NHS trusts, 1996–97 to 2000–01
	2. Annual financial returns for health authorities, 1996–97 to 2000–01
	3. Annual financial returns for primary care trusts, 2000–01

Patient Discharge

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bethnal Green and Bow of 28 November 2002, Official Report, column 413W, on patient discharge, when he expects to publish the revisions to the hospital discharge workbook; how long the consultation stage has taken; and who has been consulted on the redrafting.

Jacqui Smith: A revised version of the hospital discharge workbook will be published shortly. As part of the review process, a number of wide-ranging stakeholder meetings have been held over the last few months with practitioners and managers, national professional and carer bodies, and with people who have been responsible for promoting good practice in their localities.

Patients Forums

David Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the cost of recruiting the membership of patients' forums.

David Lammy: It is the responsibility of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health to recruit members to patients forums. It will be for the Commission, within its available budget, to determine the cost of recruitment.

Prison Cells

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what proportion of (a) young offender institutions and (b) adult prisons changes have been made to the physical cell environment to reduce ligature points.

Hilary Benn: Cell windows and beds are considered high risk, as statistically they are more used to attach ligatures. Ligatures can however be attached to many other elements of a cell structure and installed furniture. Establishments use local funding to address individual ligature attachment points, but unless a cell has been installed as a full Xsafer cell" its efficiency in reducing ligatures cannot effectively be measured, and are therefore not monitored.
	The number of safer cell installations to date is as
	follows:
	Adult male—2,100 cells
	Juvenile and Young Offender Institution—610 cells
	In addition 880 adult male safer cells are planned to come on line in 2003–04.
	The Prison Service is currently working on a number of initiatives that will enable safer cell and reduced risk cell furniture to be more easily available to establishments. Work has commenced on the production of prototypes for large-scale production of safer cell furniture. The current initiative is hoped to reduce the current cost of safer cell furniture installations by approximately one third. Work is continuing with the Prison Service Industries to produce a range of furniture that is designed to reduce possible ligature attachments points. The furniture, when approved, will be available to establishments via the normal furniture supply routes.

Public Health Laboratories

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance NHS Chief Executives have been given regarding the need for preservation of public health microbiology in relation to the proposed establishment of a Health Protection Agency.

Hazel Blears: The Chief Executive of the National Health Service and Permanent Secretary of the Department, Nigel Crisp, has written to NHS chief executives saying that the public health activities of Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) laboratories transferring to NHS trusts are to be protected and maintained.
	The regional public health microbiologists, to be appointed within the Health Protection Agency (HPA), will be working with the NHS trusts to ensure that all the microbiology laboratories within NHS—not only those transferred from the PHLS—play their full public health role.
	The establishment of the HPA is intended to enhance public health microbiology and to position the protection of public health in the mainstream of NHS activities. This is just one element of the Chief Medical Officer's strategy for combating infectious diseases, XGetting Ahead of the Curve".

Retention of Hospital Doctors

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital doctors left the NHS in each of the last four years on grounds of (a) retirement, (b) early retirement, (c) ill health and (d) taking up an alternative post.

John Hutton: holding answer 2 December 2002
	The number of hospital and community doctors in England and Wales who have received a retirement pension before or after age 60 and on the grounds of ill-health for each of the financial years 1998 to 2002 is in the table.
	
		
			 Year Before 60 From 60 Ill-health only Total 
		
		
			 1999 125 479 102 706 
			 2000 114 418 97 629 
			 2001 176 522 111 809 
			 2002 157 540 122 819 
			 Total 572 1,959 432 2,963

Temporary Nursing Staff (Wages)

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the nursing wage bill was spent on temporary nursing staff in (a) England and (b) each NHS region in each of the last six years.

John Hutton: The table contains data outlining the expenditure on non-national health service nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff as a proportion of the total nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff. The non-NHS figures include all agency staff and any other staff not directly employed by the individual NHS trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts. A regional breakdown prior to 1996–97 is not available.
	
		Expenditure on non-NHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff as a proportion of total nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff—England 1995–96 to 2000–01
		
			 Region 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Northern and Yorkshire n/a 0.007 0.008 0.008 0.010 0.011 
			 Trent n/a 0.009 0.012 0.015 0.017 0.021 
			 West Midlands n/a 0.026 0.030 0.037 0.042 0.045 
			 North West n/a 0.010 0.014 0.018 0.022 0.026 
			 Eastern n/a 0.024 0.026 0.036 0.044 0.056 
			 London n/a 0.089 0.089 0.099 0.123 0.128 
			 South East n/a 0.022 0.030 0.040 0.046 0.053 
			 South West n/a 0.014 0.018 0.023 0.024 0.034 
			 England total 0.026 0.030 0.033 0.039 0.047 0.052 
		
	
	n/a = Not available
	Sources:
	1. Annual financial returns of NHS Trusts, 1995–96 to 2000–01
	2. Annual financial returns of district and regional health authorities and the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals, 1995–96
	3. Annual financial returns for health authorities, 1996–97 to 2000–01
	4. Annual financial returns for primary care trusts, 2000–01

Theatre Staff

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operating department practitioner vacancies there are (a) in England and (b) in the north-west region.

John Hutton: holding answer 7 December 2002
	Separate information about operating department practitioners is not collected centrally. Vacancies for operating theatre staff, which include operating department practitioners, in England and the north-west are shown in the following table.
	
		Department of Health vacancies survey, March 2002 qualified operating theatre staff vacancies in NHS trusts in England and the north-west regional office area—3 month vacancy rates
		
			  England North-west 
		
		
			  Operating theatre staff (excluding HA staff) 
			 3 month vacancy rate (percentage) 4.8 3.6 
			 3 month vacancy rate (number) 210 20 
			 Staff in post (wte) 4,110 540 
			 Staff in post (hc) 4,300 560 
		
	
	1. Three month vacancy information is as at 31 March 2002.
	2. Three month vacancies are vacancies which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents).
	3. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post.
	4. Three month vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post from the Vacancy Survey and the Consultant Census, March 2002.
	5. Staff in post data are from the Non-Medical Workforce Census, September 2001
	6. Staff in post data excludes staff employed by health authorities, as vacancy information was only collected from trusts, PCTs and special health authorities.
	7. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.
	8. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.
	9. Due to rounding, calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates.
	10. Figures may not match previously published data due to a different method of rounding used on the staff in post data.
	Sources:
	Vacancy numbers and rates: Department of Health Vacancies Survey March 2002 and Consultant Census March 2002.
	Non medical staff in post: Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census September 2001

Theatre Staff

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the consultations undertaken by his Department prior to the announcement that operating department practitioner trainees should be paid a student bursary or grant rather than a salary.

John Hutton: holding answer 5 December 2002
	The announcement concerning operating department practitioner (ODP) trainees set out new additional arrangements by which students would be eligible to apply for national health service funded bursaries. This does not remove or preclude existing routes for employees wishing to pursue ODP education through secondment opportunities funded by their employers.
	The announcement was made following consultation by the association of operating department practitioners on the changes to registerable qualifications and the need to find new education routes to support the increased numbers of ODPs required to deliver service commitments.

Vulnerable Adults

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken under the Protection of Children Act 1999 to protect vulnerable adults with mental impairment from (a) sexual and (b) physical abuse.

Jacqui Smith: Section 10(1) of the Protection of Children Act 1999 was never enacted to protect vulnerable adults with mental impairment from abuse. This provision was later repealed by the Care Standards Act 2000, which made provision to protect all vulnerable adult groups.

Waiting Times

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is made available on current waiting times for treatment for types of cancer; and what plans he has to publish such information in the future.

Hazel Blears: The NHS Cancer Plan set out new goals to reduce waiting times for cancer treatment. The first step in reducing cancer waiting times was the introduction of the two week waiting time standard from urgent general practitioner referral to outpatient appointment for cases of suspected breast cancer from April 1999 and for all urgent cases of suspected cancer from 2000.
	From December 2001 targets of a one month maximum wait from diagnosis to first treatment for breast cancer and a one month maximum wait from urgent general practitioner referral to first treatment for children's cancers, testicular cancer and acute leukaemia were introduced. From December 2002, there will be a maximum two month wait from urgent general practitioner referral to first treatment for patients with breast cancer. By 2005 there will be a maximum two month wait from urgent general practitioner referral to first treatment and a one-month wait from diagnosis to first treatment for all cancers.
	Existing monitoring arrangements and published data cover the two week standard and the December 2001 targets. Data will be published on further Cancer Plan targets as data collection is rolled out. Data are published on the Department website.

Waiting Times

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra resources have been allocated to the implementation of the two week waiting time target for referral of patients with (a) breast cancer, (b) prostate cancer and (c) other types of cancer.

Hazel Blears: #10 million was made available for each of the financial years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 to support implementation of the two week outpatient waiting time standard. From 2001–02 the additional #10 million was put into health authority baseline financial allocations. An additional #30 million was also made available for each of the financial years 2000–01 and 2001–02 to further support the two week standard and the modernisation of cancer services. The additional funding was not identified for individual tumour types. It is for health authorities to identify their priorities and target resources appropriately, in this case towards meeting the two week standard.

Waiting Times

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many patients in NHS units in Chesham and Amersham waited longer than (a) four and (b) 24 hours in accident and emergency in each of the last 12 months; and what proportion they were of the total;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on progress on reducing waiting lists at NHS units in the Chesham and Amersham constituency;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on progress on visiting times for accident and emergency services at NHS units in the Chesham and Amersham constituency.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 19 November 2002
	Action continues to be taken to improve waiting times in the accident and emergency department of Wycombe General Hospital, which is the main provider of accident and emergency services to the people of Chesham and Amersham. The chief executive of South Buckinghamshire National Health Service Trust has personally led the Reforming Emergency Care agenda, with support from Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority's service improvement managers and the Modernisation Agency.
	Quarterly data relating to waiting times in accident and emergency departments will be published for the first time shortly. Data on total time in accident and emergency will be published for the second quarter of 2002–03.
	I am advised by Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority that South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust has been performing well. Waiting time figures at April 2002 showed a reduction of 6.8 per cent. from the previous year. Currently the trust is performing above target in this area.

Wycombe Hospital

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delayed discharges there were from Wycombe hospital in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.